Zee Media BureauNew Delhi: Former England defender Rio Ferdinand says that his dream is to manage the Three Lions after retirement. After spending 12 fruitful years with Manchester United, he moved to Loftus Road, where his brother Anton Ferdinand played for two seasons.
Ferdinand played 81 times for the national team scoring three times after making his debut in a friendly against Cameroon on 15 November 1997. Three years later, he was named captain ahead of the 2010 South Africa World Cup, but injury ruled him out.
Talking to Daily Mail, the former Leeds United player said that “Everyone has dreams of playing for England and my dream after football is to manage England. I don`t expect the chance now, but once I get the badges I am there. If I don`t get a job in management I will wonder why.”
The 35-year-old retired from international football in May 2013, with limited chances coming his way since the arrival of Roy Hodgson as the new England boss. The very month, he announced the move to Loftus Road. In his United career spanning more than a decade, he won multiple Premier League titles besides Champions League and FA Cup triumphs.
He also cited examples of other countries when it comes to grooming managers. “Joachim Low, Jurgen Klinsmann were young geezers when they started out with Germany. Look at Marco Van Basten, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique – they are not old fellas but they were given a chance. It is different in this country. We are 10 years behind in certain situations,” lamented Ferdinand.
First Published: Friday, August 22, 2014, 14:34
