Steven Gerrard 'has a chance to be a good manager' - Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez has backed Steven Gerrard to make a good manager, but has told the former Liverpool captain that he needs to do the job before knowing if it is for him.

When asked if Gerrard had what it takes to become a manager, Newcastle boss Benitez cited his ability to play several positions as an example of his tactical understanding.

"What I could see when I went to Liverpool, I could see a great player with a passion," Benitez is quoted by the Newcastle Chronicle as saying. "I remember my first meeting [with him] was in Portugal with Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Stevie.

"They were with the national team and we were asking for permission to talk to them; we were talking about tactics and they were really keen.

"So he was someone that was really keen to learn. Then, little by little, he was changing his position.

"I remember when everyone was talking about: 'Oh, you have to play [Frank] Lampard and Gerrard as midfielders for the national team.'

"He was playing for us on the right and he was scoring more than 20 goals. Also sometimes he was playing for [Fabio] Capello on the left side, cutting in on his right foot from the wing.

"For us [Liverpool] his best position was as a second-striker behind [Fernando] Torres.

"When you have already played in three or four positions, your knowledge of the game is much better because you can see different points of view; the problems and the solutions.

"So I think he has a chance to be a good manager."

Gerrard, who is set to leave LA Galaxy, has been linked with the vacant manager's job at MK Dons as well as a move to the Chinese Super League.