Three months into his new role as coach at the Liverpool academy, Jay Spearing is looking to “follow in the footsteps” of Steven Gerrard and Steve Cooper.
Spearing was confirmed to have rejoined his boyhood club in July, taking on player-manager duties in the youth ranks similar to Tom Huddlestone at Man United.
The 33-year-old, who most recently played for Tranmere in League Two, played for the Under-21s during pre-season but is not yet required in competitive play, instead working with the Under-18s.
That’s where you’ll do most of your work, training alongside the youngsters of Kirkby to help them develop and in turn hone your coaching skills.
Liverpool’s academy has proven to be a successful breeding ground for managers in recent years, with Gerrard, Cooper, Michael Beale and Neil Critchley among those graduating into high-profile roles.
Gerrard and Cooper currently manage in the Premier League, while Critchley left Blackpool in the summer to serve as Gerrard’s assistant at Aston Villa, and Spearing is drawing inspiration along the way.
“If I take a path similar to the [Gerrard]I would be very lucky,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“I will strive and work hard to achieve it.
“Right now, all I can do is focus on the journey and the opportunity that has been given to me. I will learn and see what comes.
“There’s a lot of hard work ahead of us, but the ultimate goal is to get out into the big, wide world of professional gaming.”
Gerrard began his managerial career with Liverpool’s under-18s, also taking charge of the under-19s in the UEFA Youth League before leaving for Rangers in 2018, which eventually brought him to Villa.
While there is certainly a sense that Gerrard’s profile helped him on his way, there may be more encouragement for Spearing in the likes of Cooper, Critchley and Beale, who have gradually worked their way up.
“The academy is a great place to learn but also to make mistakes behind the scenes, without the cameras and pundits, where I won’t be crucified or fired after five games,” he continued.
“I hope to follow in the footsteps of the staff that have come before because you have people like Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest and Neil Critchley at Aston Villa who have come and made a name for themselves.
For now, however, Spearing’s focus is on Liverpool and the young players who have the ambition to go their own way into the first team, having made his senior debut aged 20 in 2008.
“The academy is a crucial place for players to learn their craft and gain experience for their own game,” the midfielder explained.
“If I can help in any way, having been in the pro game, I’ll make sure to do it.
“My goal is for them to challenge our first-team players or, if not, continue to build a good career.
“I’m in a very lucky position and it’s important because I want these guys to live out their dreams.”
