Rio Ferdinand confesses ‘my dream after football is to manage England’

'I don't expect the chance now' says Ferdinand, but points to examples like Joachim Low and Jose Mourinho as managers who started young and achieved great success.

Rio Ferdinand shown on the bench during the 2010 World Cup with England. Paul Gilham / Getty Images / June 21, 2010

Press Association

Aug 22, 2014

Rio Ferdinand has revealed his desire to manage England one day.

The 35-year-old QPR defender won 81 caps for England during his international career, and was named as captain for the 2010 World Cup before injury ruled him out.

His playing days are not yet over, but when he does retire, the former Manchester United man wants to represent his country again.

“Everyone has dreams of playing for England and my dream after football is to manage England,” he told the Daily Mail.

“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.

“I will give myself the best opportunity of getting the job by getting all the badges.

“I don’t think people should start shouting the odds about the opportunity to manage clubs until they have their badges. I am not sitting here saying ‘give me a job’ because I don’t have them yet.”

Ferdinand believes other countries have shown the way when it comes to selecting international managers.

“(Joachim) Low, (Jurgen) Klinsmann were young geezers when they started out with Germany,” he said.

“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.

“We have to do what’s best for English football.”