Gerrard can learn coaching in U.S. – Arena

Steven Gerrard’s new boss with the LA Galaxy thinks the best place for the former Liverpool captain to learn the ropes of coaching is the United States.

The longtime Liverpool captain left the only club he ever played for professionally at the end of last season and admitted he might have stayed if given the opportunity to be a player-coach.

Bruce Arena believes if Gerrard wants to broaden his skills on the bench that he should stay right where he is.

“The best coaching environment in the world is the USA,” Arena said. “We have top-flight professional leagues in a variety of sports and on a daily basis it’s interesting to watch how teams and coaches respond to the different pressures on them.”

Arena also suggested that maintaining some distance from England’s top flight could pay dividends for Gerrard if he is to pursue a career in the dugout.

“Stepping away from the Premier League, and away from football for 24 hours a day, will broaden his skills,” added the 64-year-old.

The much-anticipated arrival of Gerrard to MLS has paid dividends for his new club, who are locked in a battle with Vancouver and FC Dallas for first place in the Western Conference.

“Gerrard is very special. The impressions he has made on people are remarkable,” Arena, who managed the U.S. national team between 1998 and 2006, told BBC Sport.

“That doesn’t always happen, but Stevie has embraced everything here at LA Galaxy — he’s spoken to the fans, academy players and even those in the front office. He’s bought into everything.

“He’s enjoyed being able to spend time with his family in public. People here are used to seeing people who have accomplished a lot, so he gets away with not being noticed.”

Arena added he hopes Gerrard can fulfill his playing ambitions with the Galaxy and hopefully help the team to another MLS Cup title while he prepares himself for life off the pitch.

“He has many years left in football and I think he’ll make many more huge contributions.”

The Galaxy finished first in their group in the CONCACAF Champions League, after beating Central FC on Wednesday without Gerrard. The team hosts FC Dallas in a match with first-place implications on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

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