Jurgen Klopp message rings true as ex-Liverpool star Adam Lallana takes next step

Adam is set to take his next steps in the game, with news on Monday confirming he will be part of ’s new-look coaching set-up after the departure of Ivan Juric.

The Croatian’s spell in the Premier League won’t live long in the memory as he managed just 14 games and amassed a scant four points from that period. He was dismissed on Monday morning after the Saints’ relegation to the Championship was confirmed, with Simon Rusk set to take the reins until the end of the season, .

That won’t come as a surprise to many who have followed his career closely. The 36-year-old has been working on his coaching badges for several years and previously shadowed Roberto De Zerbi during his time at . He also helped Andrew Crofts during his interim role at the Amex following the departure of Graham Potter in 2022, did some work alongside Lee Carsley with the England Under-21s, and was described by Juric as someone he viewed as almost like a coach .

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Lallana has already gained vast coaching experience despite not yet retiring from the game - although he admitted last year, ahead of his return to Southampton, that was a possibility. But his desire to move into the world of coaching began during the midfielder’s time at Liverpool when he worked under.

The German must have been beaming from ear to ear when he heard this week’s news. The former Liverpool manager has already made his feelings clear that Lallana is an ideal character to for a career in coaching.

“No surprise,“ said Klopp last year, following Lallana’s stint with England. “First and foremost, the most important ingredient for a young coach is to love the game, and obviously, Adam's love of the game is coming out of his ears!

“He could play football for 24 hours if his body would let him do that. Then he needs to be ready for the necessary next steps. Being around the Under-21s already is a good sign that he is ready to learn.

“Being a player is one experience, but all the rest you have to look over your shoulder or talk to people. He is someone I have enough time to talk to whenever he wants about my experiences, so we will definitely have talks. I'm really happy for him. Such a football lover really has to stay in the game, and I am really happy that he wants to do that. That can only be good for the game.”

Klopp’s first appreciation of Lallana long outdates his desire to move into coaching and the now-Red Bull chief highlighted his leadership qualities as far back as 2017. “Adam is a natural leader and is so, so important within our team and also in the dressing room,“ he said. “Maybe on the outside, his leadership is not seen as much as we see it each and every day at Melwood in everything he does.

“He has a world-class attitude to go with outstanding ability: that’s not a bad combination. Our younger players will now be able to benefit from watching, listening and learning from him for an even longer period because he sets the perfect example each and every day.”