Setanta's Steve McManaman willing Liverpool to title glory

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Jan 15 2009 by Michael Marshall, Liverpool Echo

Steve McManaman and David Unsworth in Merseyside derby action back in 1996 320

SIGHTS ARE SET ON BEING THE BOSS

STEVE McMANAMAN may currently enjoy the sanctuary of a television studio. But a part of him hankers for the chance to try his luck in a technical area.

Since hanging up his boots in 2005, the former Liverpool midfielder’s involvement in the game that made him a household name has been restricted to working in the media.

But McManaman has made it his New Year’s resolution to obtain the necessary qualifications to open up some different avenues.

However, his enthusiasm has been tempered slightly in recent months by the experiences of a number of men whom he played with and against.

“I’m still thinking of getting back into the game and hopefully I will do my coaching badges at some point this year,” said McManaman, who was known on the Kop as ‘Shaggy’.

“It was impossible to last year, but things are a bit more stable now. It is going to be hard, though. There seems to be far less jobs available for the younger guys.

“Paul Ince, Roy Keane, Tony Adams – it seems as if people have got it in for them. It’s becoming a bit less attractive.”

He is not, though, the type of character who would let a few negative headlines put him off and McManaman is quite clear in what he wants to do – if opportunity knocks.

“If I do get back in, I don’t want to be a coach,” he said. “I want to be a manager, but that’s easier said than done.

“I want to be able to pick the team, make the decisions and everything that goes with it. That said, I can’t do anything without my badges.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Steve McManaman factfile

Born: Bootle - 11.02.1972

Liverpool appearances: 364

Liverpool goals: 66

Other clubs: Real Madrid, Manchester City

Boyhood Evertonian who joined the Reds from school and as an apprentice cleaned John Barnes’ boots.

Rose through the Anfield ranks and in December 1990 made his senior bow as a substitute in a 2-0 home win against Sheffield United.

Starred in the 1992 FA Cup final triumph over Sunderland and three years later shone at Wembley again as he scored twice in the Coca Cola Cup final win against Bolton.

His last Reds appearance was in a 3-0 win over Wimbledon in May 1999.

Left on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 1999 and joined Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Capped his first season at the Bernabeu with a stunning strike in the 3-0 Champions League final victory against Valencia – becoming the first English player ever to win Europe’s premier club competition with a foreign club.

Came on as a substitute in the 2002 Champions League final in which Real beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.

In 2003 he signed for Manchester City but was dogged by injuries and retired after being released on a free transfer in May 2005.

Won 37 caps for England and scored three goals.

sport@liverpoolecho.co.uk