Caltex Socceroo legend Harry Kewell says his ultimate coaching ambition is to manage his former club Liverpool.
Kewell was recognised on Tuesday night at the Professional Footballers Australia Players’ Awards when he was announced as the Alex Tobin OAM Medallist.
Stars honoured at 2016 PFA Awards
Kewell enjoyed a fabulous playing career for club and country, which included a UEFA Champions League title and FA Cup triumph with Liverpool.
Since ending his playing days in 2014, the 38-year-old has gone into coaching, currently in charge of EPL club Watford’s U-21s.
And he revealed he has desires to get to the top in management as well, with a return to coach the Reds and become the first Aussie to coach in the EPL his ultimate goal.
“My dream first job? I’m a big dreamer so you may as well go to the top. My ultimate goal is Liverpool,’’ Kewell told reporters in Melbourne.
“A lot of kids dream and they’re afraid to express what they’re dreaming.
“I’ll keep working until I get my opportunity. As much as I feel I’m ready there’s a lot of things I need to work on. I don’t deserve it [just because of his playing career].
“You’ve got to learn your trade but you could say that about my playing career. Do you work your way up the reserve team? Do you go out on loan and start at a lower level? Or do you jump in the deep end and play in the Premiership?
“You don’t know unless you get thrown in there. I’m a big believer in sink or swim.
“You have to wait until an opportunity comes. I’m learning from one of the best [Watford manager Walter Mazzarri]. I get to see how he works because he takes a lot of my players.’’
Kewell is on a whistle-stop visit in Melbourne for the PFA Awards, as well as academy clinics.
And he revealed he had met with successful Melbourne Storm NRL boss Craig Bellamy to pick his brain about the art of coaching.
“I just had an interesting conversation with Craig Bellamy who I respect and admire for what he’s done. He’s phenomenal,’’ Kewell said.
“To sit down with him for a couple of hours and he said everyone’s going to throw questions at you, you’ve just got to be honest.
“Sometimes you’ll be wrong and you’ll upset people, but they can’t criticise you.”