Middlesbrough legend Stewart Downing has returned to former club Liverpool in a scouting role (Image: Newsquest)
Middlesbrough legend Stewart Downing has returned to former club Liverpool in a scouting role (Image: Newsquest)
MIDDLESBROUGH legend Stewart Downing has joined the scouting and recruitment team at Liverpool.
Downing, who made 91 appearances for Liverpool during his playing career, has taken up a new role with the Premier League champions as global talent scout.
After retiring in 2021, Downing, 40, took his first steps into coaching and returned to Boro in a part time role before also getting an opportunity at Leeds United. Downing, who played 35 times for England during a stellar playing career, has also been a regular on TV as a pundit in recent seasons.
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But it's understood the opportunity to step into scouting - which came out of the blue - immediately appealed to Downing, who has spent recent months getting extensively prepared for his new role and has now started work with the Premier League champions, who he has retained a strong relationship with since he played for the club.
Liverpool say global talent scouts "use experience and knowledge to accurately showcase high potential players to global talent staff" and "extend our reach to support the quick identification of high profile players from around the world".
Downing joined Liverpool in 2011 and reached both domestic cup finals in his first season at Anfield, winning the League Cup but losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
"I had a great time there," said Downing previously, looking back on his time at Liverpool, who he joined from Aston Villa.
"It was a move I’d always wanted to do – play for a club like Liverpool. When the chance I came, I jumped at it.
"I was having a good time at Villa and it was a good club, but I think Liverpool is Liverpool and I wanted to make that move."
Downing returned to Boro in 2015 and won promotion with his hometown club. He made more than 400 appearances for the club during his two spells.