Harry Kewell insists that management feels the right fit for him as he prepares to take charge of the Reds in their first league game of the season at home to Port Vale on Saturday afternoon.
It will be the first time that the Champions League winner has tasted league football from the side-line as a manager, and he was enthusiastic when looking ahead to the upcoming campaign.
“I love the game and love this side of it,” he told BBC Radio Five Live in an interview on Monday morning.
“I really enjoyed my time with Watford U23’s and I see the other side of the game now, and it feels like it is exactly what I set out to do in my career.
“My injuries happened for a reason and now I know when players come to me – I feel their pain and understand their pain and help them go through it.
“The first time it clicked was when I was on a course and we had an assessment on defending corners.
“Someone came up to me after and said I’d want to play for you – I liked being able to tell people what to do and explain situations to players."
The Australian, speaking to Mark Clemmit for the BBC’s EFL Preview show ahead of the start of the new campaign, pointed to what gives him the biggest sense of enjoyment since being in the technical area.
“I enjoy transferring the knowledge I have onto players and seeing them produce it out on the field,” he continued.
“I always ask them to do their best and I want players to improve under me – that’s what I’m looking for.
“I’ve had great coaches throughout my career, but I’m none of those, I’m my own man and my own manager and I like to be able to bring my own ideas.
“I always dream big and that’s the only way you can live.”
Supporters can listen to the full interview with BBC Radio Five Live by clicking here from 1 hour 20 minutes into the broadcast.
