There are several notable former Liverpool players now pursuing successful managerial careers.
The highest profile of these is without a doubt Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title this season.
Steven Gerrard has also given management a shot, but has not found success as easy to come by as Alonso. It remains to be seen whether the Liverpool legend returns to coach in Europe.
Aside from that iconic pair, Dirk Kuyt has done well with Beerschot, earning promotion to the Belgian top division, while Fernando Torres has impressed with Atletico Madrid’s U19s.
Torres has since taken on a new job, moving up to manage Atletico B in the Spanish third division. And one of the Spaniard’s former Liverpool teammates is now set to manage at the same level in Italy.
Andrea Dossena takes charges of SPAL
Perhaps it is no coincidence that so many of Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool squad have followed their former boss into management.
Albert Riera is another who is a current manager – in charge of Ligue 2 side Bordeaux – while Javier Mascherano coaches Argentina’s U20 team.
Benitez was a superb tactician and it seems he passed the coaching bug onto many who he came across at Liverpool.
And while these other names were largely big players for the Reds, some of the less recognisable ones from that late 2000’s team are also giving management a go.
READ MORE: Everything thinks Fernando Torres will one day take over La Liga giants as manager
Andrea Dossena did not have a distinguished career with Liverpool. After being signed from Udinese in summer of 2008, the Italian went on to play just 31 games across two season.
Dossena could never quite establish himself at Anfield but did have a good career back in Italy, even earning 10 caps for the national team.
Since retiring in 2017, Dossena has embarked on a managerial career. And as per the club’s official website, the 42-year-old has now been announced as the new head coach of Serie C side SPAL.
It is actually the fourth club of Dossena’s coaching career, having previously managed n the fourth division with Crema, Ravenna and Renate, as well as in Serie C with Pro Vercelli.
Who is Andrea Dossena?
For some younger Liverpool fans, they perhaps won’t remember or be aware of Dossena at all. Even those who lived through his time with the Reds may not fully recall the Italian full-back.
Signed as a direct replacement for John Arne Riise, Dossena was due to battle with Fabio Aurelio for the starting left-back slot.
And although Aurelio had his injury problems, it was a match-up that the Brazilian won comfortably.
But despite his inability to fully settle at Liverpool though, Dossena is still rather fondly remembered by those supporters who do recall his stint.
That’s because within the space of four days in March 2009, Dossena scored against Real Madrid and then Manchester United. Putting the finishing touches on a 4-0 win over Real and a 4-1 thumping of United at Old Trafford, Dossena still made his mark on a wonderful season for the Reds.
Good luck, Andrea!