Dirk Kuyt has reaffirmed hopes of former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard returning to Anfield.
He is convinced Gerrard's achievements at Glasgow Rangers have paved the way for the Kop legend to take charge of his boyhood club when Jurgen Klopp calls it a day.
Gerrard invited Kuyt, 40, to spend time with him at the Rangers training ground – and that experience has only made the Dutchman want a permanent place on his coaching staff when he takes the reins at Anfield.
“I am watching how he is presenting himself as a manager, how he performs with his team," said Kuyt to the Mirror.
“As a player, he was the absolute leader and he is the same as a manager.
“I feel that his leadership qualities are going to take him very far as a manager. I think it would be great if Steven Gerrard went on to manage Liverpool. He's Liverpool through and through and spent his entire playing career at Anfield.
“Hopefully, he will go on to experience similar levels of success as a manager.
“I have always got on very well with him, and we are still in contact from time to time.
“Steven has said some great things about me in the last couple of years, we have a special bond. He does not have to speak about me, but he still does.
“It has made me proud of our bond and it was great to go over to see him work with his team in Scotland.''
He added: “I have a desire to be manager soon and I am looking at options. But there are exceptions for choosing a path as an assistant manager and being alongside Stevie would be one of them.
“If he wanted me to be his assistant, I'd like that a lot. In principle, I see myself going on to work as a head coach, but, like I say, there are always exceptions."
