What Do Footballers Do After They Retire?

In the realm of professional athletes, the tenure of a footballer is notably brief. Commencing their professional journey at the tender age of 16, many find themselves bowing out by the age of 36. Those defying this temporal constraint often descend to a tier below their zenith, with the exception of goalkeepers, whose top-tier careers may endure well into their forties.

With approximately three decades until the average footballer reaches the state retirement age, the looming question remains: What path do they tread upon retirement?

The Pivot to Football Management

An overt choice for many retired footballers is the realm of football management and coaching. In contemporary times, clubs conscientiously groom their players with the skills requisite for a livelihood post-retirement. Thus, a substantial number embark on the journey to become football coaches or managers while still actively engaged in the sport.

This metamorphosis is facilitated through the coaching pathway orchestrated by the Football Association. Upon retirement, a seamless transition occurs as they secure roles within clubs as coaches or managers.

One might speculate that the prowess displayed on the football pitch correlates with managerial aptitude. A paradigmatic example surfaces in the form of Pep Guardiola, a luminary in both Barcelona and Spain, acclaimed as the paramount manager globally.

Yet, paradoxically, success stories unveil themselves in instances where managerial prowess surpasses playing achievements. The illustrious Jose Mourinho, celebrated for conquering the Champions League and the Premiership, began his odyssey as a translator at Barcelona, devoid of a professional playing background. This dichotomy underscores the disparate skill sets requisite for playing and managing football, a nuance that propels certain players toward more prosperous coaching careers than playing ones.

Some former players transcend coaching, venturing into football club ownership. In 2014, a consortium of ex-Manchester United players, comprising Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt, acquired the semi-professional Northern Premier League side, Salford City.

The Media Odyssey

Since the inception of the Premier League in the 1990s, ushering in a proliferation of football broadcasts, the media has emerged as a coveted sanctuary for retired footballers. Some transition into roles as commentators, summarizers, or presenters following stumbles in football management, while others consciously choose this trajectory.

Gary Lineker, the affable host of the BBC's Match of the Day, harbored aspirations outside football management from his early twenties, gravitating toward a media career. Given the television industry's penchant for personalities and familiar faces, TV careers predominantly beckon those who have graced the highest echelons of the sport. Nonetheless, former footballers with a lower-tier background often find niches in regional sports programs or contribute football columns to local newspapers.

Beyond the Pitch: Business Ventures

A subset of footballers eschews coaching and media roles, seeking conventional avenues to sustain their livelihood. In eras preceding the financial windfalls spurred by entities like the Premier League, this represented the norm. Tom Finney, an iconic figure in football history, transitioned into plumbing after retiring, establishing a successful business across the North West of England.

Despite contemporary players enjoying substantially augmented earnings, many harbor a compulsion to persist in some professional capacity. Consequently, one encounters footballers at the helm and laboring within a myriad of enterprises. Stuart Ripley, a Premier League victor with Blackburn Rovers, has seamlessly transitioned into a prosperous career as a solicitor and lecturer. Jeff Whitley, a former Northern Ireland international and Manchester City midfielder, finds himself in the realm of used car salesmanship. Arjan De Zeeuw, a League Cup champion with Wigan Athletic, has pivoted to policing in the Netherlands.

Even those who never graced the top-flight arenas and plied their trade in lower leagues find themselves compelled to forge alternative careers post-retirement. Former professionals now populate diverse vocations, ranging from baking, postal services, and construction to accountancy, fitness instruction, and salesmanship.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do all retired footballers become coaches or enter the media?

   - No, while coaching and media are popular choices, many opt for diverse careers ranging from business ventures to conventional jobs.

2. Are successful players guaranteed to become successful managers? 

  -  Not necessarily. Managerial success requires a unique set of skills distinct from playing, leading to varied outcomes for former football stars.

3. How common is ownership among retired footballers?

   -  Ownership is not ubiquitous but is seen among former players who wish to influence the sport's trajectory, as seen with Salford City.

4. What challenges do footballers face in transitioning to post-retirement careers?

   -  The challenges include adapting to new skill requirements, exploring unfamiliar industries, and sometimes facing the need for additional education or training.

5. How do lower-league players fare post-retirement?

   - Players from lower leagues often explore diverse career paths, showcasing resilience by transitioning into various professions such as trades, law enforcement, and entrepreneurship.