Global football icon Steven Gerrard joined Sedulo founder Paul Cheetham-Karcz at an exclusive event for high-performing business leaders in the North West this week.
The former Liverpool and England midfielder, who led the Reds to greatness in the 2005 Champions League final, discussed the highs and lows of his playing career, the challenges of working with different Premier League managers as well as his winning mentality.
Gerrard was speaking at the Be the Standard initiative, which is the brainchild of Paul Cheetham-Karcz, who heads up the national award-winning mid-tier accountancy and business advisory firm Sedulo. The company represents some of the UK’s leading brands as well as public figures spanning music, sports and entertainment industries.
Ex-Glasgow Rangers boss Gerrard confessed that he had an ‘obsession with winning’.
He said:
“I was obsessed and still am obsessed with winning. But in football, probably like you in business, you’ve got to be prepared for the highs and the lows. I’ve had disappointments and setbacks like injuries but that drove me on to get even better. You have to be switched on mentally. Setbacks help you in the end.”
Talking about other great leaders in the game, he said:
“My stand out coaches were Gerrard Houllier. He was the best and changed me as a person. He made me a first team player. Rafa was the best tactical coach I ever worked with. Both leaders in different ways.”
The football legend also revealed that Jürgen Klopp gave him incredible support when he was managing the Liverpool FC Academy team.
“Jurgen gave incredible support. He knows the game. I got good advice from him. That was good grounding for me and helped me learn the management trade,” he said during his interview with Sedulo founder Cheetham-Karcz and broadcaster Jacey Normand.
Sedulo’s Be the Standard regularly attracts some of the world’s best in business and sport, inviting individuals to talk about their careers, how they achieved their success, and what they’ve learned over the years in order to become the best version of themselves. Previous speakers have included Manchester United ace Gary Neville, Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield OBE and boxing entrepreneur Eddie Hearn.
Paul Cheetham-Karcz said:
“Steven Gerrard is a global football great and even as a Stockport County fan it was fascinating to hear his story up close and hear about his focus and winning mentality.
“The business leaders in the room run incredibly successful companies, and the comparisons between the pressures of winning and making a corporation a success are startling. The burning desire to be the best is probably the stand-out feature and I know everyone appreciated Steven’s unique insight of how to cope in a high-pressured scenario, which transcends the playing field.
“It was a privilege to host him and I know the business leaders in the room were grateful to hear his unbelievable experiences.
“Be The Standard is an incredible network of people and we have had some stellar guests. We’ve got big plans to grow this network of business powerhouses even further.”
