The Major League Soccer offseason has already been dominated by headlines of Didier Drogba leaving Montreal for a return to Chelsea, and now it appears that another star could be looking to hang up his boots, albeit in a much cleaner departure.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard is seriously contemplating retirement following the 2016 MLS season, and moreover will be pursuing a career in coaching.
The former Liverpool captain spoke about his potential exit from playing, saying, “I’m not 100 per cent sure but I think it will probably be my last year as a player.”
The 35-year old came over from Anfield and Bruce Arena’s side in July 2015. The midfielder made 13 starts in as many matches during the homestretch of the Galaxy’s regular season campaign, notching two goals and three assists.
While it remains to be seen if a Liverpool return is in the cards, it wouldn’t come as any shock if the English legend finds a position on Jurgen Klopp’s staff.
In November, Klopp dismissed the possibility of Gerrard returning to the club as a player, but didn’t rule out the team finding a spot for him.
“We will find something for Stevie, for sure, when he comes back and whatever he wants to do we will help him but not at this moment. We are in the middle of the season,” Klopp said.
Gerrard has become a major advocate for players transitioning into the ranks of coaching, also expressing discontent about how many of the game’s greats are tossed aside after long, successful careers.
“They should be getting offers they cannot refuse,” says Gerrard. “If a player has got 100 caps and 700 club games how can a club and the FA just let them go? They have so much to offer.”
“A lot of clubs don’t let it happen – they don’t let players like that go. You see it at Manchester United with Ryan Giggs, Barcelona with Pep Guardiola, they say when you finish here, this will happen.”
What kind of mark do you think Steven Gerrard will leave on the Galaxy in 2016? Should Liverpool welcome back its former star? Do you think Gerrard’s comments about treatment of former players is accurate?
Share your thoughts below.
Too bad Gerrard won’t do the honorable thing and retire now. You think the Galaxy can hit the Undo button on the Juninho transfer?
Hell, it looked like Stevie G retired last season! Now bringing in Ashley Cole? I’d rather have Gonzo, Juni and Sarvas back in the fold! Oh and talk about dogging it.. Gio wasn’t exactly lighting it up either.. Disgruntled LAGal’s fan here!
The galaxy are consistently good if not great year to year…pump the breaks…they will still be competitive in 16 and beyond.
Garber’s Barnum and Bailey Circus. Good for show, bad for quality.
Who are these people wearing gerrard jerseys?
Plus I think soccer more than other sports should be able to sell jerseys without big name players on the back. Its one of the bonuses really…wearing your teams shirt without some other dudes number and last name on your back.
For the record, I think 2016 will be it for me too.
Robbie Keane, Gerrard and the maybe soon arriving Ashley Cole are all about 35. In the meantime the Galaxy have given up Omar, Juninho and Sarvas. I don’t like their personnel moves in the last year.It seems like they are signing players more for selling jerseys than winning games. Perhaps Bruce Arena and Chris Klein know more about their youngsters that isn’t obviously apparent, but it looks like they are going backwards instead of improving.
you’re probably not wrong about jerseys and tickets factoring in, however, despite all of that, they still fielded a competitive team. so perhaps they are looking to balance the on and off-field a bit more. their PPG was fraction behind that of Portland, which won the league. let’s look beyond the 2002 excuses for all things mls….
I have been a huge fan of Gerrard for a long, long time, but still questioned his decision to continue playing last year with the Galaxy. Regardless of the excuses (new team, travel, etc…) Gerrard provided very little to the Galaxy last year…and with the departures this off-season there will be a greater need for Him and others to step up their play. Hope he can find a fountain of youth somewhere and put in a dominant season in 2016.
As for his future plans….I have to agree to a point. Too many ex-players are left out of the coaching ranks. Many of these guys have a ton of knowledge and experience and I wish there was a way to help them pass it along to future generations.
Gerrard’s performance can’t be measured by on the field performances but by how many jerseys and tickets he sold. Football is never part of the equation when they bring way over the hill players like him to the league.