The last couple of weeks have seen Liverpool fans waiting for news of whether a club legend might return to Melwood to work with the club’s academy.
And today they got the news they were waiting for, as a recently-retired Champions League winner confirmed that he will be back at the club in 2017 as he works on his coaching badges.
No, it’s not Steven Gerrard, who announced his retirement after LA Galaxy’s MLS playoffs run ended prematurely, but it is one of Gerrard’s long-time teammates, John Arne Riise.
Can't wait for 2017. Going to be at the Liverpool Academy while taking my coaching badges! Exciting! Learning from all the great coaches
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) November 25, 2016
Riise made the decision to hang up his boots earlier in 2016, cutting short a second spell with his hometown club Aalesund, but later agreed to a short-term deal with Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC.
The Norwegian international made more than 300 appearances for Liverpool after joining from Monaco in 2001, playing in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals, and also played Premier League football for Fulham.
Fans have been quick to welcome back a player who won plenty of plaudits at Anfield, though his impending return has inevitably also led to people speculating about Gerrard returning to his hometown club.
@JimFish286 welcome home
— Jason #FSGOUT (@salmidach) November 25, 2016
Great news!! YNWA
— !!! (@loonyroon) November 25, 2016
Gonna be awesome. You + Gerrard! Carra shud join too!
— 😊 (@msyuqr) November 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/robbie9isgod/status/802159787228229632
With Riise working on his badges while learning from an accomplished Liverpool coaching team, could he be paving the way for an eventual move into management? And would Reds fans be keen on him taking a more high-profile role at Anfield further down the line?
