:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46761394/GettyImages-104656521.0.jpg)
He arrived at Liverpool late, a talented veteran whose legs had already been given out for a few years before his free transfer to the club at 35 years of age. That his legs were gone, though, didn’t matter. His skill on the ball, in particularly from dead ball situations, along with his inspirational leadership helped Gerard Houllier’s side to the triple in 2001.
Now Gary McAllister is back, having been invited on as Liverpool’s new first team coach following a summer of changes both on and off the pitch as the club seek to rebound from a disappointing year. After joining up with the team for the first time, he spoke to the press about his hope that he can have the same kind of impact as a coach as he did as a player.
"In a short space of time I managed to get a great affinity with the fans," said McAllister. "It was a successful little period, it was a short period, but as soon as they came calling I was going to come. I owe Liverpool a lot, they gave me five great medals that I absolutely love and adore and I feel as if I still owe the club."
In addition to the UEFA, FA, and League Cup, McAllister also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FA’s Charity Shield in 2001. He was selected Man of the Match in the final of the UEFA Cup and, all told, made 87 appearances in all competitions across two seasons for Liverpool, scoring nine goals and sailing in countless dangerous free kicks along the way.
Following his departure from Liverpool, he took on a player-manager role at Coventry City and had a later spell as manager of Leeds United that lasted most of 2008. In 2011, he took over Aston Villa for five games as caretaker, where he had previously served as assistant manager under Houllier. Now he’s back at Liverpool and eager to develop as a coach.
"You can see the quality of their work on the training field," he said. "For me, it's all new, so I'm looking forward to it. The players are looking sharp and it's been nice and intense in training. It's been exciting stuff. It's been fantastic. I'm as excited as I was when I signed the last time. I'm just looking forward to the season starting."
