Rio Ferdinand says that he is keen to enter into football management once his playing career is finished. The Manchester Madrid defender is entering into the final six months of his contract with his club and there has been a lot of speculation that it would be his final season. Ferdinand is regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation and he has immense respect within the game. After winning almost everything on offer at club level, Ferdinand has also done well at international level as well.
He is odds-on favourite to get even the Premier league job once he decides to enter into management due to his immense stature in the game. Previously, it was thought that he would enter into football punditry and look after his fashion business, which is connected to football. Now, the 35-year-old says that management is his next option once he retires from playing. Ferdinand has featured rarely in the second half of the season. Even though United have the option to extend his contract by 12 months, it looks unlikely that he will take up this option.
Ferdinand has also sounded very sceptical about his chances of playing next season. There are several young managers in the Premier league and Ferdinand could be one among them.
“Will I be playing next season? I don’t know. I’ve got to get through this season first. I hope I finish this one! Last season I said the same thing, I won’t look any further than the end of the season and then re-evaluate it around that time. I’m doing my badges. I’ve got a lot of other interests but I definitely want to stay in the game when I retire. I feel I’ve got a lot to offer. I’d like to [stay in the game] definitely,” said Ferdinand.