Steven Gerrard has declined the offer to manage MK Dons, with the midfielder considering other opportunities, including the prospect of rejoining Liverpool in a coaching capacity.
The 36-year-old held preliminary talks with the League One outfit over the possibility of replacing Karl Robinson, but both parties decided to move in a different direction.
The former Reds and England captain admitted in January that he is not yet ready to take overall charge of a club as he works towards completing his UEFA A license.
“I’ve dreams and aspirations of going into coaching and management but at the moment I’m nowhere near ready for management,” he said.
“When you start your coaching badges you realise pretty sharp it’s different. You’re in control of 25 men with different egos.”
Following his LA Galaxy exit, Gerrard has several proposals both on and off the pitch to mull over as he enjoys a break with his family.
And as Goal revealed last week, he has held advanced talks with Liverpool over a position at the Academy.
The man with over 700 appearances for his boyhood club made it clear he didn’t want a role to hinge on who he is, but rather on what he could offer and learn.
Alex Inglethorpe, director of the club's youth set-up, believes Gerrard would be an asset well beyond his status as a Liverpool great.
The first call Gerrard will need to make is whether he continues as a player until the end of the season at least, or retires to concentrate on the next phase of his career in football.
Signed up for punditry duties, he also has the option of traveling around Europe to learn from the game’s elite managers, while the FA have been in contact with England’s fourth-most capped player over scope at international level and assistance with his badges.
Whatever decision Gerrard makes in the short-term, it is apparent Liverpool will be his eventual destination.
