The professional life of a footballer is relatively short. With the majority turning professional at 16, many of these will be retired by the time they’re 36. Those that aren’t will most probably be playing in a lesser league than they played in at their peak apart from some goalkeepers whose top-flight careers can last well into their forties. Football management and coaching is the most obvious choice of career for a former footballer. Clubs these days are very conscious about equipping their players with skills that they can utilise to earn a living once retired, so many players begin training to be a football coach/manager whilst still playing.
