Cape Town - With his playing career not yet over, Steven Gerarrd has already been touted as a future Liverpool manager.
The 34-year-old midfielder maintains he would only ever return to the Merseyside club in that capacity if he felt he was up to the job.
"I have got ambitions to stay in the game. I am taking my UEFA coaching badges and looking to progress up that ladder," he explained.
"To take a role at this club, you have to be good enough. You can't take one on reputation or name.
"The demands and expectation here are so high you would be naive to take one just because you are Steven Gerrard or because you've had a good career on the pitch.
"If in a couple of years' time, when I've been out of the city for a bit, if there is a role on offer where I think I can contribute and be good enough, I will certainly consider it.
"I've been coming to this club since the age of eight and I do feel I can contribute in a role in the future."