Fernando Torres' coaching career continues to thrive as former Liverpool superstar tops table
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Fernando Torres ensured he will never sit alongside top former players from Liverpool’s past by leaving unceremoniously for Chelsea in 2011.The Spaniard was on the path to becoming a legend at Anfield after hitting 81 goals in 141 appearances, but chose to leave the Reds while they were at a low ebb.As a result, many Liverpool supporters still view Torres as a traitor who does not deserve a welcome back at Anfield.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Nevertheless, the former No.
9 inspired a whole generation of Liverpool fans, and while his legacy was hugely tainted by his transfer away 14 years ago, many will be interested to hear how his post-playing career is developing.As he mentioned when returning to Anfield for a Liverpool Legends game in 2024, Torres plans to embark on a coaching career, and is currently in charge at Atletico Madrid B, the second team of the great club of his life.Now into his second season managing in the Primera RFEF Group 2 – the Spanish fourth division – Torres is actually showing that he may be a promising coach in the making.Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesAtletico Madrid B sit top of the tableThere have previously been suggestions that Torres is being earmarked to take over from Diego Simeone at Atletico once the Argentine finally leaves.As a legend of the club, the former striker would certainly be a popular choice, and his work with the B team so far is suggesting that he may be the right one.READ MORE: Former Liverpool coach is one to watch after impressive beginning to life as a manager this yearAfter 12 games of the season, Atletico Madrid B sit first in the Primera RFEF Group 2, two points clear of second place CE Europa.It represents a marked improvement from last season, when Torres’ team finished seventh in the 20 team division. Do you want Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract and stay at Liverpool?
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images Bearing in mind his side are technically a youth team playing against fully-fledged adult opposition, Torres is making a good go of it.There will be some Liverpool fans who would rather the 41-year-old fails in everything he does. But we think it’s nice to see such a storied former player cutting his teeth in the lower divisions of coaching and making it work.Could Torres one day return to Liverpool?If things continue to go well for Torres, it seems as though he is virtually guaranteed a shot at managing the Atletico senior team when the time comes.But should he get restless and fancy a senior job before then, he would not be short of options.His name alone will get him through the door for an interview at plenty of clubs, while his track record of success in youth football will be attractive as well.Torres won a league and cup double in his previous role with Atletico U19s, and is clearly someone who knows his way around a tactics board.If he can graduate to senior football and make his mark, then perhaps one day Torres could come under consideration for a sensational managerial return to Liverpool.