Socceroo great Harry Kewell has revealed his coaching aspirations, and he’s thinking big.
In Melbourne on Tuesday to receive Professional Footballers Australia’s highest honour – the Alex Tobin Medal for outstanding contribution to the sport – Kewell said he’d like to coach where no Australian manager has been before.
“My ultimate goal is Liverpool,” said the precociously talented winger, who played in the English Premier League and World Cup during an incredible but injury-blighted career.
But the path that Kewell will take as he attempts to get there is anyone’s guess.
The 38-year-old is presently Watford’s under 23 coach, and has previously given half-hearted interest in an A-League coaching gig.
“You’ve got to learn your trade,” he said, before comparing the coaching pathway to his own playing route.
“When you’re starting out do you start out working your way through the reserve team, go out on loan and start at a lower level?
“Or do you just get thrown into the deep end and play in the premiership?
“You don’t know unless you get thrown in there. I’m a big believer in sink or swim.”
“I’m a big dreamer. You might as well go to the top. You want to dream big, you dream big.”
On his whistle-stop visit back to Melbourne, Kewell revealed he sought out “phenomenal” Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy and spent the afternoon with him, picking his brain.
But it seems Kewell is unlikely to find himself coaching in Australia any time soon.
He distanced himself from opportunities at expansion A-League clubs, likely to enter the league in 2018/19, or other opportunities in Australia.
He’s more concerned that the standard of the league is maintained after coming on in great strides.
“I think (expansion) is fantastic. As long as you’ve got players,” he said.
“At the moment you’ve got a good league happening. It’s interesting now. I watch it every weekend. That’s what you want.
“You don’t want to create an extra two teams and they become weak links because they’re just filling numbers.
“The next ones that come in, they’ll take from Melbourne Heart and take what’s from Western Sydney and I presume they’d learn from both of them and hopefully then the next (team) can have a bit more of an impact again.
“As far as me, I don’t know.
“I just worry about my coaching. I’ll just keep working and working until I get my opportunity.”
Griffo
Roar Guru
To me Kewell not only spoke well but was knowledgeable in his responses as a player. It won't be a surprise to me if he does well in his coaching career, too. As an Aussie I hope he does make it and succeeds at the top tier of club football coaching, blazing a trail for others to follow.
Lionheart
Guest
well best of luck with that Harry