Steven Gerrard - into the world of management

Right then, onto the second leg of the Play off semi final against Houston. The first leg finished in a 2-2 draw in the away leg. With away goals not counting we needed to beat Houston on the night to make it to the final.

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And beat them we did!

Robbie Keane with the opener after just 6 minutes but Houston came right back into the game and levelled 1-1 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate.

The game was then very cagey with few clear cut chances for either side. After 90 minutes the game was still level and headed into extra time.

Robbie Keane then grabbed the second goal, and what turned out to be the winner after 94 minutes.​

In the other semi final ...

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Seattle went on to beat Fc Dallas in the other semi final with a 2-1 win after a goalless second leg.​

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Seattle it is then!​
 
Now into the final of the play offs which is a two legged match with the away leg first. although this is the final, the winner of this then goes on to play the winner of the Eastern Conference final.


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What a win that was!

This really sets us up for the second leg with an away win under our belt. A draw at the StubHub is now all we need.

Luke Moore grabbed the only goal of the game just after the hour mark.​
 
And on to the second leg with us leading 1-0 on aggregate.

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And there we have it!

A great 2-0 win against a really good Seattle side.

Just before the game I realised that center back, DeLaGarza would be away on international duty and would miss this game. Great timing hey?!

Luke Moore comes away the hero here after scoring both goals. The first came just after half time which was a great time to score.

Moore's second goal came with less than 20 minutes to go after a very good strike which the keeper had no chance with.


Our opponents in the MLS Cup final then will be ...​

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New England

New England made it this far by beating New York Red Bulls 6-2 on aggregate.​

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To be honest, I'm pretty pleased that we're playing New England in the final as they were our biggest challengers in the Supporters Shield. We really would prove to be the best in the country if we can beat them in the final.​
 
And now on to the big one ... the MLS Cup Final against New England.

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We've done it!!

That's probably the most comfortable game we've had throughout the whole play off campaign.

Robbie Keane converted an early penalty inside 5 minutes which really out us on our way.

Luke Moore then doubled the lead just before half time to make it 2-0.

The second half was then pretty comfortable with very few decent chances for either side. We defended brilliantly and allowed New England absolutely nothing.​


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LA Galaxy manager, Steven Gerrard has resigned from the job and left the club.

Manager Steven Gerrard has left his role as manager of LA Galaxy just 48 hours after leading the club to the MLS cup victory against New England.

Gerrard was in charge of MLS side for around 18 months and went on to win the US Cup in his first season, as well as qualifying for the MLS play offs where they lost in the Semi Finals.

In his second season Gerrard went even further by winning the club the Western Conference, Supporters Shield and the MLS Cup all in one season.

It is thought Gerrard will be looking for another job immediately and is thought to want a return to England.


Just before Gerrard left the MLS Cup, he was inducted into the MLS 'Hall of Fame'.​

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Just days after quitting La Galaxy, i was inundated with clubs offering me interviews:

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First up Championship side, Sheffield Wednesday offered me an interview about their managers job. I actually turned this job down because I feel I should be looking higher than this. Wednesday are currently 17th in the Championship and 10 points off the play off places.​

After this refusal, I was then contacted by Brighton and Hove Albion.

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Brighton went straight in and offered me the job without even going for an interview. Brighton are even lower than Sheffield Wednesday and find themselves in a real relegation dog fight. They're only 6 points clear of the drop.

Although I don't think they'll go down, I think they're quite far away from challenging towards the top end of the division which is where I really want to be.

I decided to turn this offer down.​

The final interview i was offered was much more interesting.

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Championship side, Norwich were the 3rd team to come in for me.

Although Norwich are only 15th in the league they are more than capable of challenging for the play offs in this season, if not certainly next season.

Norwich are 8 points off 6th place but have a great squad which has hardly changed since their Premier League days.

I attended this interview and felt it went well.​
 
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Norwich to appoint Gerrard as manager imminently. ​

It is understood that Norwich City will offer former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard the currently vacant managerial position at Carrow Road.

Paul Wilkinson has been in temporary charge for the last month since the club parted company with Ian Hollway just before Christmas.

Gerrard experienced a lot of success in his 18 month stay in America where he led La Galaxy to US Cup in his first season as well as winning the Western Conference, Supporters Shield and MLS Cup in his second season.

It is though Norwich will confirm this appointment within the next 48 hours.
 
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Steven Gerrard turns down Norwich job offer


It has been confirmed that ex Liverpool and England legend, Steven Gerrard has turned down the managers post at Norwich City.

Norwich had offered Gerrard the job after impressing at the interview stage.

Neither Gerrard nor Norwich have confirmed the reasoning for the last minute back-out. Initial reports were saying Gerrard was to be joining Norwich within the next day or two.

Stuart Gray, Phil Parkinson and Nigel Clough now look to be the favourites to take over at Carrow Road.​
 
Chat with director at Derby County:​

Director: Hi Steven, I hope you don't mind me contacting you directly. Your agent passed me your number.

Steven Gerrard: Not a problem. What can I do for you?

Director: We'll, as I'm sure you're aware, the managers position here at Derby County has just come available we got rid of Aitor Karanka. And we'd like you to be the man to replace him.

Steven Gerrard: Wow, that would definitely be something that would interest me.

Director: The club is far too low down the league and really should be in the Premier League, we want you to be the man to lead us there. We haven't even advertised for the job yet and haven't interviewed anyone. Your our man and anyone else who applies would always be our second choice behind you! So, what do you say Steven?

Steven Gerrard: Derby is always a club I liked and the opportunity to take them to Premier League would be a great challenge. Let me sleep on it and discuss it with my family.

Director: That's fair enough Steven, call me in the morning.
 
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Sky Sources understand that Steven Gerrard has now arrives at the Ipro Stadium to finalise the managerial vacancy at Derby County.

Gerrard had recently turned down the managers position at Norwich but is understood to be keen on Derby. Our sources understand the deal will be wrapped up by the end of the day with a press conference scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.​

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Derby confirm Steven Gerrard as new manager​


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Reporter: Steve, why Derby then? Why them and not Norwich?

Steven Gerrard: Derby just seems a really good fit. I genuinely believe they should be in the Premier League and I feel I can get them there.

Reporter: Glad to see you back in work Steven. What experiences will you take with you from the MLS?

Steven Gerrard: Thanks, I'll take a lot with me from the MLS, I was very grateful to Galaxy for giving me my chance in management. The main thing I'll take is that you can't win every game so don't get too down when you lose or too high when you win.

Reporter: Derby are 11th at the minute, 5 points off the play offs. What's your aim for this season?

Steven Gerrard: It has to be the Play offs. I haven't come here for a boring mid-table season, I've come here to win promotion and I'll be very disappointment if we dont achieve that.

Reporter: Good luck Steven, we all wish you the best of luck.
 
Right first day in the job and the first thing to do is to look over the playing staff:

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There's definitely some really good players here who are, without doubt, playing well below their level.

I would say the best player in the squad is youngster, Will Hughes. Jeff Hendrick also looks a great player and can hopefully strike up a good partnership with Hughes in midfield.

There's quality all over the pitch but I would the strikers need some re-enforcements. Chris Martin is the number one choice with Johnny Russell and Mason Bennett battling it out to partner him (if we play 2 up front that is).​

The next job I gave myself was to have a quick look at the league table.

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Okay, so after 28 game we find ourselves in 11th place on 42 points, 5 off the play offs and 20 clear of relegation.

The play offs have to be a reasonable and realistic target. Its going to be tight but we still have 18 games remaining so to climb 5 places in 18 games is certainly achievable.​

Next up is to look into the fixture list:

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This shows what a bad run Derby are on! 5 wins in their last 11 games which includes defeats to a couple of the play off contenders and worse off all, Tranmere in the Fa Cup.

I kick off my time here with the simple task of beating the league leaders, Blackburn. This is followed with an away trip to face Crystal Palace (4th), Home to Brentford (7th) and away to Bournemouth (10th) ... EASY!​

That's me do for the first day in office, I've arranged a meeting with the assistant manager for tomorrow morning, we will then go through the squad in more detail. ​
 
Assistant Manager: Hi Steven, Paul Simpson here. I've heard from the Director that you wanted to see me to run through the first team squad?

Steven Gerrard: Yes please, I want your advice as you've worked with these players day in and day out all season.

Assistant Manager: Thats fine, before we get down to bussiness, I've arranged for Eric Steel (Goalkeeping Coach) to see you this afternoon to give you the low down on the 'keepers in the squad. So, lets start with the defence shall we?

Center backs:

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Your number one center back should be Raul Albentosa.

Raul is absolute quality! Really, I would say he's already good enough for the Premier League. He's 6'4 so is brilliant in the air. He's played pretty much every game this season and has looked steady, but I know he's capable of so much more.​

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His defensive partner should be Richard Keogh. Club captain, this bloke bleeds Derby County. He's not quite at the same level as Raul but is still plenty good enough for this level. Crown favouote as well.

After this your center back options are fairly limited. 3rd choice will be between Ryan Shotton (who can also play right back) and Jake Buxton (who's injured for about 3 months).

The players we have for CB should be plenty good enough, but perhaps look to get another back up player before the window shuts.​

Assistant Manager: And now on to the two full back positions:

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For the right back slot, Cyrus Chirstie is your man! He's a proper byline to byline full back. He'd actually be ideal to play wing back as well if you go with that formation.

My worry here is his competition, Ryan Shotton is the only other right back in the squad and he's much more defensive minded.​

And now the left back:

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Stephen Warnock is the only left back in the squad. Although he's actually surprised everyone this season with his consistent performances. At 34 a lot of people had written him off but he's been good this season, although this will probably be his last season at this level.

I'd definitely look to get either a replacement or at least a back up here.

So, thats your back 4 sorted.

WARNOCK - KEOGH - ALBENTOSA - CHRISTIE.​

Assistant Manager: As you'll now see, the midfield area is without doubt our best position.

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What a player Will Hughes is! This lad really can go all the way to a top Premier League side. He's equally as good playing as an attacking midfielder, just behind the strikers or as a box to box player. He's played deeper this season but I prefer him further forward.​

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And now onto Jeff Hendrick. This has been Hughe's midfield partner this season and should carry on being so. Another player who's capable of playing in the Premier League.​

Their both quite attacking minded so you need this man in midfield as well to shore up the defensive side ...

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George Thorne is a brilliant defensive midfield player, one of the best in the league. He's still recovering from a lengthy injury which kept him out for over 12 months. He should really complement hughes and Hendrick well with his defensive discipline.​

So, your midfield should look like:
HUGHES - HENDRICK
THORNE​
And finally, lets now go through the front men:

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Chris Martin will be your number one striker and a very good number 9. He's a good target man with a decent goals to games ratio. He normally plays much better with a strike partner though. He can seem quite limiting on his own.​

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One of your biggest decisions will be who gets the nod between Russell and Bennett. Johny Russell certainly has more experience and a better goal return ratio but can sometimes go missing for large parts of the game.​

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Mason Bennett on the other hand has that raw pace and youthful inexperience. He isn't scared of taking people on, he'll lose the ball a lot but is capable of that magic moment.

Assistant Manager: So Steve, that okay for you?

Steven Gerrard: Yes, very in depth thank you.

Assistant Manager, So, if I was in charge my team would look like this for the Blackburn game:

​
ALNWICK

CHRISTIE ALBENTOSA KEOGH WARNOCK

THORNE

HUGHES HENDRICK

BENNETT RUSSELL

MARTIN




​
Assistant Manager: Good luck Steven! I'll make sure the goalkeeping coach see's you today.
 
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