Rangers coach backs Gerrard's Liverpool credentials - but insists Klopp is still the man at Anfield
Gerrard is on the verge of sealing the Scottish Premiership title – perhaps only days away from being mathematically certain – and has been backed for a prolonged stay at Ibrox.
But ties to his hometown club – who he played 707 times with – have never been far away given his affinity to Anfield and links re-surfaced recently with success in Scotland co-inciding with Liverpool’s limp defence of their English Premier League crown. Bookmakers even installed Gerrard as favourite to be the next boss for the red half of Merseyside, prompted by rumours of Jurgen Klopp moving to the German national team.
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Hide AdHowever, although Beale reckons Gerrard has the coaching credentials to fulfil the role, he is backing the current incumbent to see the job through.
“At the moment, Klopp is one of the five best coaches in the world, and the best coach for Liverpool is Jurgen Klopp. I worked closely with him as under-23 coach, he is fantastic for the players and coaching staff. He’s done an incredible job so far,” said Beale when speaking to ESPN Brazil.
The coach spent six months as Sao-Paulo assistant manager in 2017, either side of coaching roles with the Reds where he also worked with Gerrard before moving north in 2018.
Beale added: “It is a great pleasure to work with Steven. He is a very good coach and has shown a lot of confidence and faith in me as a coach, and I enjoy working with him.
"In the future, if Steven Gerrard can continue to be a success, win trophies and gain experience, then it’s possible that Liverpool will be his future. But every coach in the world dreams of leading a team like Liverpool. So let's see what the future brings.”
Beale also admitted he would be interested in a management job of his own, and went on: “I have desire to work outside the UK again, but I am very happy working with Steven and believe we have a few more years together. It is my plan to be a coach for myself in the future, but I want to win here with Rangers first.”