LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 29, 2019: Wolverhampton Wanderers' captain Conor Coady before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 29, 2019: Wolverhampton Wanderers' captain Conor Coady before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Former Liverpool defender Conor Coady has returned to the club on a short-term basis, revealing he is training with the U21s and working with the coaching staff.
After a half-season loan spell with Charlton, this summer saw Coady reach an agreement to terminate his contract at Wrexham.
Wrexham tore up the 33-year-old’s deal on deadline day and he has taken up the invitation to work as part of Liverpool’s U21s setup.
The arrangement comes while Coady seeks a new club, with the St Helens native telling BBC Radio 5 Live Sport: “I’m trying to keep myself busy.
“I’m lucky enough to get the opportunity to go into Liverpool’s U21s. I came through there. I’m doing a little bit of coaching with the boys, which has been brilliant.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 19, 2013: Liverpool's substitutes Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady and 'Suso' Jesus Joaquin Fernandez Saenz De La Torre warm-up during the final Premiership match of the 2012/13 season against Queens Park Rangers at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 19, 2013: Liverpool's substitutes Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady and 'Suso' Jesus Joaquin Fernandez Saenz De La Torre warm-up during the final Premiership match of the 2012/13 season against Queens Park Rangers at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Coady continued: “The lads at Liverpool are amazing with me.
“The players but also Jay Spearing and Rob Page who gave me the opportunity to come in, mirror them a little bit, be in the office before training and look at how they plan a session.
“If they need numbers, I’ll jump in and keep myself fit as well. That’s what it’s looking like at the minute.
“I’m obviously speaking to my agent about different bits that are going on. I’m not massively in a rush because I want to make sure it’s right.”
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 21, 2026: Liverpool's coach Jay Spearing during the Premier League 2 match between Everton FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's, the Mini-Derby, at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It is unknown whether Coady’s time back at Kirkby could become a full-time job, as though he is at the back end of his career he still has aspirations of playing club football.
But his transition to life as a coach could replicate that of former academy team-mate Spearing, who is now in his fifth season back at Liverpool.
Spearing was offered the chance to rejoin Liverpool after his release from League Two side Tranmere in 2022, when he was 33 himself.
He has served in the role of player-coach since then and has been promoted from the U18s setup to be Page’s assistant, working as a go-between for the youngsters and the staff.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Monday, January 7, 2019: Liverpool's Divock Origi (L) embraces Wolverhampton Wanderers' captain Conor Coady after the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. Wolverhampton Wanderers won 2-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Monday, January 7, 2019: Liverpool's Divock Origi (L) embraces Wolverhampton Wanderers' captain Conor Coady after the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. Wolverhampton Wanderers won 2-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I want to make a difference,” Coady explained.
“Whether that’s on the pitch, whether that’s off the pitch, I want to be a real driving force.”
Coady spent nine years at Liverpool having come through the academy to become part of the first-team squad, making two appearances before leaving in 2014.
Since then he has played for seven different clubs, including rivals Everton, while his seven years as a key player at Wolves earned him an extended role with England.
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