Middlesbrough legend Stewart Downing has made a surprise return to Liverpool as a global talent scout.
Downing spent two years playing for the Reds but it was a largely underwhelming period in the Teessider’s career. Part of Kenny Dalglish’s first-summer splurge at Anfield, he managed only seven goals and nine assists in 91 appearances. Despite that, Downing has now returned to the club in the scouting and recruitment role.
The new role is Downing’s latest since his retirement in 2021. As well as doing regular TV and radio punditry work, the Teessider also served as Leeds United under-21’s assistant manager over the last year. But making a switch in his post-playing career, Downing is now set to be part of Liverpool’s global talent identification.
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 isn’t the first ex-Boro man to hold a similar role with the Merseysiders. In between his spell coaching at Bournemouth and returning as assistant head coach under Michael Carrick, Downing’s brother-in-law Jonathan Woodgate also held a scouting role at Liverpool. That connection played a big role in Boro signing Ben Doak last summer.
Downing is expected to start his new role right away. It will be a welcome reunion for the 40-year-old who, despite things not working out, always spoke highly of his two years at Anfield. Speaking in the past, Downing said: "I had a great time there.
"It was a move I’d always wanted to do – play for a club like Liverpool. When the chance 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."