Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who famously lifted the 2005 UEFA Champions League trophy, has revealed why he turned down offers from European giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid during his career.
Gerrard, who is widely regarded as being one of Liverpool's greatest-ever players, amassed over 700 appearances during his time with the Reds but could have turned out for the likes of Bayern or Real had things worked out differently.
The current Rangers boss was speaking on the Greatest Game Podcast, with former teammate Jamie Carragher, when he revealed that he had turned down offers from both European giants in order to remain with his boyhood club.
"I think if all the Chelsea stuff (in 2005) didn't happen and Mourinho, when he came for me around 2010, maybe you look back and think 'imagine playing for Madrid for a year or two'," Gerrard said.
"Imagine going and playing for Mourinho in the Champions League – that would've been an unbelievable experience. Of course it would. But it didn't happen. Basically, Madrid wanted me to cause a war at Liverpool to get out. That was the only way that could've happened."
"...I had a mad one as well after the Euros with Roy Hodgson. I think (Bastian) Schweinsteiger was coming to an end [of his time] at Bayern. We had some serious phone calls, and you think to yourself 'Bayern Munich, how big are Bayern Munich? Imagine an experience going there.
"But then that filters away and you think 'hang on a minute, I'm Liverpool captain – why change? You're already at a huge club, why would you want to affect your relationship with Liverpool?'"
Gerrard spent 17 seasons at Anfield, winning no fewer than nine major honours, before seeing out his career with MLS side LA Galaxy.
