THE move was two decades in the making but questions – of where and of when – still had to be answered for Steven Gerrard. Now, every box has been ticked, the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed. At 38, he is a manager.

Gerrard has assumed many roles throughout his illustrious career but the latest addition to a remarkable CV is the one that has caused most debate. Few argued when he was named as Liverpool captain, nor when he assumed the armband for England.

When he returned to Anfield as Under-18s boss, it was widely acclaimed and an obvious fit as the man who became a hero to a generation of Reds fans signed up to inspire the next crop of Kop kids.

This one is different, though. His move into management isn’t just a step into the unknown for Gerrard, is a leap of faith from Rangers.

Even for a man used to breaking records and rewriting history, next season will be one of firsts as he ventures into unchartered territory.

It has all started with Gerrard back on the training pitch as he has put his players through their paces at a training camp in Spain this week. It was a moment Gerrard had waited some time for, but one he had been preparing for even longer.

“Probably around 32, 33 while I was still playing,” he said when asked when he decided he would make the move into management. “Because I loved the game. The game has been a big part of my life. I was at Liverpool from eight years of age and went full-time at 16 when I left school.

“From 16 to 36 it was all that I knew – full-time football, being around top players, top managers. That’s where the education had begun.

“Towards the end of my career I knew I wouldn’t really be able to just walk away from the game and go into anything else. Because football is all I know.

“There wasn’t a stand-out moment. I just had that feeling. I think when I became Liverpool at 23, I accrued the responsibility of being a leader. And I really like that man-management side of it.

“It wasn’t natural at the beginning at 23. I probably became captain a little bit too soon. I took over from Sami Hyypia and there were a lot of older players around the squad, I had to grow into the role.

“So I’m not sitting here thinking that I’m a top manager sitting here right now. It is something that I will try and grow into, mould into and improve. I don’t want to stand still. I want to keep trying to grow.”

Offers have been made, and politely declined, since Gerrard hung up his boots and returned home following an 18-month spell with LA Galaxy. There was glitz and glamour Stateside, but it was competition that Gerrard was seeking.

His time in Major League Soccer fed that habit to an extent but life at Ibrox, with his reputation and Rangers’ fortunes on the line, will give Gerrard the ultimate buzz once again.

“This is what I’ve craved since I came out of a playing kit,” Gerrard said. “I craved that responsibility, that pressure, that three important points at the weekend. The highlights of staying in Cup competitions.

“Looking back at my playing career now, I feel as if I should’ve maybe played on for one more year.

“Not for the lifestyle in America. For the actual buzz of playing football. I went there to come out of Liverpool, for just to breathe.

“Because I knew my Liverpool days were coming to an end and I knew emotionally I would’ve found that tough. Because I used to love every single day going in and representing that club.

“So, I’d have played on for football reasons. My wife got pregnant while I was out there in the MLS and it just made sense to come back home.”

Gerrard’s time between then and now has been put to good use. Some of it has been spent working as a television pundit but the hard hours have been completed as he works towards attaining his coaching qualifications.

The piece of paper will certify Gerrard’s abilities but it is the experience gained over many years that will be the foundations upon which he builds his managerial career. That cannot be bought, cannot be taught.

From Kenny Dalglish to Rafa Benitez, Kevin Keegan to Fabio Capello, he has worked with and learned from some of the most high-profile and decorated managers of his generation. He will take the best, and the worst, from each as he shapes his own coaching career.

“I had been speaking to them many times, bending their ear, many questions on how they find their roles,” he said of his former managers. “Trying to take things they do and try and use them as well.

“Take the best things I like, the impact they’ve had on players and try and use them in my favour going forward.

“I’m also very lucky to have the responsibility and get this role so soon. I started my coaching badges in my early thirties and I’m nearly over the line to become qualified.

“Now it’s just about experience, getting that experience, growing and improving. And that’s the reason why I’ve chosen the staff around me as well because I know they’ll be a great support for me.

“Whether you are a football manager or player, you learn from the good and bad and try and grow.”

When it comes to Dalglish, there is no doubt what category he falls into for Gerrard. King Kenny – ‘I called him Sir before he got it!’ Gerrard joked about Dalglish’s knighthood – has arguably been the greatest influence on the man that rose from the streets of Huyton to conquer Europe and lead his country.

“Kenny is my hero, if you are a young boy and you grow up in Liverpool Kenny Dalglish is the man,” he said. “My dad, myself, he is the hero.

“I am lucky enough to be able to call Kenny a friend. I can call him up any time. I know he is a Celtic man but we are friends and Kenny is that type of man.

“He is a football man. He has given me many bit of advice over the years. He will probably let the phone ring out now but our relationship is very strong.”

Dalglish was just 34 when he was appointed player-manager at Liverpool and he would lead his side to the double in his first campaign. It was the start of a new chapter in a remarkable story.

That early success as a boss will give Gerrard hope ahead of his first campaign in the dugout. He won’t follow his mentor’s lead and still pull on his boots, though.

“I don’t know about that now, there’s no chance,” Gerrard said. “The body has moved on from that. He’s obviously not seen my move the last three months.

“There are going to be times you’re joining in the training, getting involved, I enjoy that side of it. It’s nice to be in the shape where I can join in.

“There are many different ways of coaching. You can coach from the side, one-to-one, but you can also coach when you’re in the middle, you can really push the demands and standards by being in amongst it. I’m happy to be in the shape I can coach in different ways.”