Albion boss Chris Hughton believes Steve Gerrard should serve an apprenticeship before moving into management.

The former Liverpool and England captain has announced his retirement after a glittering 19-year playing career spanning more than 700 appearances and ending with MLS side LA Galaxy.

Gerrard, 36, had been linked to a job in management with MK Dons but said the opportunity came "too soon" for him.

He is working towards his his UEFA A coaching licence, the second-highest qualification available, and has also been linked with Celtic and Newcastle United, as well as a return to Anfield as a coach.

Hughton told The Argus: "The ideal situation for me always, who ever the player is, would be going through some processes when he finishes his career.

"The job of management or of a head coach has changed dramatically over the years.

"If anyone finishing the game can have some experiences, go through some processes, the licenses we do ending with the Pro Licence, that for me would always be more beneficial.

"Every now and again there's going to be a big name - and Steven Gerrard might be the one - that is going to be fast-tracked.

"Somebody might give him a high-profile job or particular job. That will always happen and that would be very much down to the individual.

"Any owner or club that chooses to go that way is because they have absolute faith in the abilities of that individual but ultimately I always think that the best way is for them to go through some processes beforehand."

Hughton is effusive in his praise of Gerrard the player, regarding him as one of English football's all-time greats.

"He's right up there, there's no doubt about that," said the Seagulls supremo.

 

"When you are looking at players, you look at their abilities and also what he has achieved in the game.

"Perhaps, with all due respect to Liverpool, in an era when they have not been as dominant as in the past, you can imagine Gerrard ten years earlier as a main player in a team dominating English football for quite some time.

"Technically I always felt he was a world class player. There is no doubt at his best he could get into the best teams in the world."