Jurgen Klopp insists he is fully behind Steven Gerrard for taking what many have deemed a risky job as Rangers’ new manager.
The Liverpool legend will replace recently-dismissed Graeme Murty as he looks to continue his development as a coach with his first senior role.
Gerrard moves to Scotland on the back of a superb year as U18s boss, in which he has been instrumental in nurturing a supremely talented group of youngsters to the point where many have already earned U23s opportunities.
With a future managerial job at Liverpool undoubtedly in the back of his mind, the early timing of the huge test facing him at Rangers could see it become a valuable learning experience.
Voicing his reaction after Friday’s announcement, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “If Stevie thinks it’s the right moment then I’m sure it is the right moment. If he thinks he’s ready then he’s ready.”
“How I know it, Rangers are a big club in a little bit of a difficult moment still but a much better moment than a few years ago. It could be a really good fit, it could be nice, coming closer to Celtic.”
“I’m pretty sure Celtic supporters don’t think, ‘Thank God, Steven Gerrard’. They think, ‘Wow, Steven Gerrard’. That can always be a sign.”
“Stevie is one of the best midfielders ever. Now he wants to be a manager. He has the passion for football and the knowledge about football.”
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With his experience of the game and idolised attitude, Gerrard finds himself well-equipped to impart wisdom and knowledge no other coach in world football could.
Granted, coaching youth and senior football are two completely different challenges, but the prospect of an entire revamp at Rangers almost gives him free reign to put his own stamp on the club.
A well-publicised mission to take Rangers back to the top of Scottish football alongside Celtic similarly gives the Kop hero a long-term project to dedicate himself to.
His presence at the helm could also intriguingly pave the way for Liverpool’s youth starlets to seek regular first team football.