Steven Gerrard - into the world of management

January 2017

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January was a bit of a mixed bag really.

A pleasing 1-0 win over Burnley away from home yet a really disappointing and frustrating loss in the FA cup against Stoke.

The obvious thing to say is, what a **** loads of draws. 6 draws out of 8 games is pretty crazy!​

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Despite all these draws, we keep our place in 5th in the league although the sides around us do have a game in hand.

We were pretty quiet on the transfer front too this month with just 1 in and 1 out.

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First up Johnny Russell leaves the club to join Championship side, Blackburn.

I owe a lot to Russell who played so well last season and of course scored the goal against Leeds on the last day of last season to secure our promotion.

And the one player to join the club ...
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Was Bruno Zuculini.

Zuculini joined from Man City for a fee of £3 million.



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February 2017

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February was only a short month but to stay unbeaten was pretty pleasing.

Leicester again proved too tough to beat with a 2-2 draw.

The most pleasing result here has to be the 1-1 draw against Man City and then the 1-0 home win against Fulham to end the month.

I'm getting a little concerned about the amount of draw's were racking up, thats now 8 draws in the last 10 games. In a way its a good thing that we're staying unbeaten but on the other hand its disappointing to be dropping so many points.

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After February we still stay 5th.

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We've been cut adrift from 3rd and 4th place now with Tottenham now 9 points in front and Liverpool 8.

Man City have now come in to it as our nearest challengers but even they are 5 points behind, albeit with a game in hand.




In other news, Arsenal lifted the first piece of silverware of the season.​
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Arsenal went on to lift the League cup with a 2-1 in over West Brom.

Arsenal overcame Man Utd, Bournemouth, Newcastle and West Brom in order to lift the trophy.
​
 
March 2017

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March was a really disappointing month for us, with only 2 games to play we really had to capialise on them, but we didnt!

The West Brom draw was disappointing, they lied in 12th place and I really thought we could go on to win. Then the Tottenham game was always going to be tough although it would have given us a chance to close the gap slightly.

The loss to Tottenham was our first defeat in 11 games.​

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After failing to win all month, we dropped down slightly in to 6th place. Its now neck and neck between us and Man City as to who will steal 5th place.

Man Utd are catching us up as well and are now only 4 points behind.​

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ANFIELD RETURN FOR STEVEN GERRARD.

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What an emotional day this was going to be, a return to where I made my name and am still classed as a legend and one of the clubs best ever players.

It was going to be strange coming up against the club i made over 700 appearances for.

I actually fancied our chances here as well, our form hadn't been great but I know what we're capable of. Liverpool are probably too far in front to catch with them being 11 points clear with just 7 games to go.​

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A decent 1-1 draw here against a very good Liverpool side.

When i say a decent draw, what I really mean is a lucky 1-1 draw.

Liverpool had a ridiculous 57 shots and 22 on target! How they only scored 1 goal I'll never know. Their one goal came through Phillpe Coutinho after just 13 minutes.

We then equalised just 10 minutes later through Jeff Hendrick. After this point, Liverpool were totally dominant and should have been comfortable winners!

On a side note, the reception the fans gave me before, during and after the game was something special.​

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MASON BENNETT RETURNS TO DERBY!

Mason Bennett's loan spell at Sheffield United finished and lad rejoins the squad for the run in.

Bennett enjoyed a pretty decent spell at the Blades scoring 7 goals in 16 games from a wide right position. Really he should have played more but a fairly lengthy injury stopped this happening.


​
 
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The rest of April was again pretty mixed.

Good wins against Hull and Southampton but a disappinting draw at home to Watord, in front of the Sky cameras as well. And an even more disappointing defeat against West Ham where we were really poor.

The good thing is we've managed a couple of wins, a few weeks ago they would have been draws.​

For the Hull game onwards, we actually changed formation slightly which we haven't needed to do that much this season ...


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We scrapped the 2 up front and just went with Pelle on his won with the wide men helping him out. The other big change I made was putting Mason Bennett in the side.

I just felt things needed freshening up a little after so many draws.

Bennett was brilliant in the 3 games he played (Hull, Watford and Southampton), scoring 2 and setting 2 up.

Ravel Morrison's performances also picked up a little after moving from the middle to wide left.​

With just 3 games to, things are so tight!

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We've pretty much lost out on top 4, providing Tottenham don't completely **** it up. But 5th is well and truly on.

We're 2 points behind Man City with 3 to play. Finishing 6th won't be easy either with Everton 3 points behind and Man Utd 6 behind but with a game in hand.

My only concern is that we play Man Utd and Chelsea in the last 3 games which means Man Utd will be a real threat for that 6th place finish which secures European football next season.​
 
Right with 3 games to play, everything is still to play for. The first of the 3 games is away trip to Stamford Bridge, we could really do with at least a point here to stay in front of Man Utd.

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We didn't digrace ourselves here

It was a pretty close game but Chelsea just proved their quality.

We stuck with the 4-5-1 formation and really took the game to Chelsea. After just 14 minutes though, we were already a goal down thanks to Diego Costa.

Bonaventura then doubled the lead just after the half hour mark.

After feeling sorry for ourselves as we'd played pretty well, we then got back in to the game through Pelle.

In the second half we had some real chances, Morrison and Bennett on the wings were brilliant and could have grabbed a goal each. Unfortunately, we pushed too many men upfield late on and Chelsea exploited this by grabbing a third goal.

Fortunately Everton lost, to Liverpool on the same day so we remain 3 clear of them. Man City won which means we're now 5 of them with just 2 games to go. Man Utd won though which means they're now 3 behind but with a game in hand and a far superior goal difference.

We play Man Utd away next which is a real six pointer.​

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Now the big one then, Man Utd away. 6th vs 7th.

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WHAT A GAME!

This was a complete roller coaster of a game.

Man Utd got off to a great start with Angelo Henriquez who bagged the first of his hattrick. His first was a cooly converted his penalty after Mulgrew brought him down.

Henriquez then got his second to double their lead.

We then came back into it and finished the first half brilliantly with Man Utd old boy, Ravel Morrison getting one back.

Hemriquez then finished his hattrick which capped off a brilliant performance from him. From this point Man Utd should have really won the game from this position but Ravel Morrison had other idea.

This was Morrison's best performance for us and probably the best of his career. His second goal was brilliant as we took on both center halfs then fired past the keeper.

Will Hughes was then brought down in the penalty area with Morrison stepping up and converting with ease.

After this draw, the table really doesn't read well ...​

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Man Utd are still 3 behind but still have that game in hand and better goal difference. A draw against us here was actually a really good result for them.

Our only saving grace is that their game in hand is against Liverpool. I could really do with them doing me one last favour, for old times sake.​
 
THE FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON:


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Aston Villa away from home with a win needed to clinch 6th place.

Man Utd are up against West Ham at home which they should be winning so we cannot rely on them slipping up.

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Straight forward - Never in doubt!

We played really well here and came away comfortable winners. We had chance after chance early on before Will Hughes converted after Mason Bennett was brought down in the area.

Richard Keogh then grabbed the second midway through the second half. I'm really pleased Keogh grabbed a goal here on probably his last game for the club as his contract runs out this season.

6th place is ours !!!​

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So with the season done and dusted, we went on to finish 6th which is an amazing achievement in our first season in the Premier League.

Arsenal went on to comfortably win the league by 9 points with Chelsea their nearest challengers.​

In other news, Liverpool went on to claim yet another European crown ...

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Liverpool went and beat Juventus 1-0 in the Champions League final.

Liverpool and manager, Brendan Rodgers must have a real love for this tournament as they claim their second Champions League trophy in just 3 years.

Its strange they've managed to do this as their league form hasn't been great, finishing 5th, 3rd and 3rd again in the league in the last few seasons.

Doesn't seem much chance of me getting the Liverpool job anytime soon if this continues.​
 
Straight after the season finished, I arranged a meeting with the chairman to discuss the next season.​


Chairman: Hi Steven, I just wanted to congratulate you on last season's success. We can't wait for European football at the club.

Steven Gerrard: Thanks boss, I really appreciate your support over the last 18 months or so. So what kind of budget are we looking at for next season? I really think the squad needs some improving for Europe.

Chairman: Well the finances still aren't great at the club so really we can only offer you £6 million for transfers. However, we'll allow you to also spend whatever you can bring in.

Steven Gerrard: £6 million ?! Is that a joke! You expect me to get this squad ready for Europe with £6 million?

Chairman: Well you did also spend £9 million this last season as well. We feel that £6 million is very fair.

Steven Gerrard: We've performed miracles finishing 6th this season, there's no way we can do that again without spending.

Chairman: I'm sorry Steven, that's our offer you can either accept it or leave.

Steven Gerrard: Well if you value me that little then maybe I should leave. Good luck replicating this season without me.

'Leaves and slams door'
 
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Lee Grant: Gaffer, sorry for calling you. But I've heard from a few people that you might be leaving, is there any truth in it?

Steven Gerrard: Hi Lee, I don't mind you calling me at all. I'll be honest with you, I'm handing my notice in first thing in the morning. I wanted all the squad to know before it came public.

Lee Grant: Please reconsider gaffer, we need you here. I really think we can do well next season, especially with us now being in Europe.

Steven Gerrard: I'm sorry Lee, my minds made up. My relationship with the chairman can't be repaired, I'll personally call all the lads in the morning so keep this to yourself for now.

Lee Grant: Okay boss, thanks for everyting.

Steven Gerrard: Before you go Lee, I just want to thank you for this last season. It's been one of my most enjoyable I've ever been involved with. You're a great keeper and the club will keep going without me.

Lee Grant: Thanks boss. Bye.
 
In terms of what jobs are available ...

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First up, Barcelona sacked Luis Enrique after finishing second in La Liga, losing in the semi final of the Spanish Cup and being knocked out of the Champions League at the first knockout stage.​


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Monaco also parted company with their manager, Leonardo Jardim after finishing 4th in the French league and being knocked out of the Champions league at the quarter final stage.​

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The only available job in the Premier League is at Man City where they sacked Manuel Pellegrini after a disappointing season saw them finish 5th. They also failed to impress in either the Fa Cup nor the League cup. They were also knocked out of the Champions League at the first knockout round.​

I applied for all jobs and await their response.
 
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