Steven Gerrard has spoken about his future in management after his departure from Al-Ettifaq.
The Liverpool icon resigned from his position as manager of the Saudi Arabian club in January, concluding his 18-month tenure.
Pressure was reportedly building on Gerrard before he left, as Al-Ettifaq were only five points above the relegation zone.
Following his exit, Gerrard was rumored to be considered for managerial positions at Derby County and Blackburn in the Championship.
However, the former Rangers and Aston Villa manager expressed his contentment with time away from the pressures of management, stating on That Peter Crouch Podcast: "I don't want to return to work, at least not right now."
"Having just stepped away, I am enjoying waking up with freedom, spending time with family, and not dealing with the constant stress."
"I will return to management eventually, but after 18 months of constant work, I simply want to be free and enjoy normal activities that are difficult when coaching, like playing golf or going to the pub."
"I want to engage in everyday things that are hard to do while coaching, so I am content. I’m doing well and feeling stress-free. I am currently unemployed in terms of coaching and management, which is typically a 24/7 job."
Despite this, it is unlikely Gerrard will remain out of management for an extended period, as he still "loves" football.
He admitted that the managerial role doesn`t provide the same thrill as playing did during his prime.
Gerrard elaborated: "I miss playing every day, every single day. I wish I could relive it and do it all over again."
"Coaching and management don`t quite fill that void; it`s just not the same feeling."
"Don`t misunderstand me, it`s still a privilege to be involved in the sport, but the exhilaration of playing is something I didn`t fully appreciate at the time."
