When a footballer retires, many followers surprise concerning the subsequent step of their profession. For many, discovering a brand new job inside the sport appears to be probably the most pure route – so it’s no shock when a participant goes on to attempt their hand at administration.
Nevertheless, not all stars comply with the trail of teaching high golf equipment or certainly one of their former sides. Some take the highway much less travelled, venturing into areas far faraway from the glitz and glamour of Europe’s largest leagues.
Some seem the place you least anticipate however with the most important World Cup ever this summer season you might nicely recognise a couple of faces you have not seen for some time.
Listed below are a few of the finest examples of ex-players in sudden roles as head coach….
Fabio Cannavaro (Uzbekistan)
Fabio Cannavaro is broadly considered one of many best centre backs of all time. The Italian defender captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 and is certainly one of simply three defenders to have received the Ballon d’Or trophy.
Cannavaro loved stints at a few of Europe’s largest golf equipment, together with Juventus and Actual Madrid. Nevertheless, in retirement, he selected a path few would have predicted – taking cost of Uzbekistan for his or her first ever World Cup.
Cannavaro’s appointment got here even supposing Uzbek-born Timur Kapadze led the nation to qualify for its first ever World Cup event.
Signing a two-year-contract for the White Wolves, Cannavaro can be hoping that his daring transfer ends in success for the Central Asian nation.
Fabio Cannavaro received the World Cup in 2006 and can now take Uzbekistan to the event
Nolberto Solano (Pakistan)
Nolberto Solano – higher referred to as Nobby – is taken into account a cult hero by Newcastle United followers, who bear in mind him for his spectacular left foot and love of taking part in the trumpet.
Nevertheless, since retiring, Solano has hung up the boots and positioned the trumpet to at least one facet to attempt his hand in administration. Having taken cost of a number of golf equipment since retiring in 2012, Solano’s most up-to-date step into the managerial position of Pakistan has stunned many.
Pakistan, who’re ranked 199th within the FIFA world rankings on the time of writing, aspire to qualify for the 2030 World Cup, however are additionally centered on establishing skilled home leagues for each women and men within the meantime.
Solano’s first activity was to guide Pakistan’s Beneath 23 facet into the U23 Asian Cup, nevertheless, following an 8-1 defeat to Iraq, and subsequent defeats to Cambodia and Oman, it’s clear {that a} large activity lies forward for the Peruvian.
Nobby Solano was in style at Newcastle and right here, performs together with his salsa band in 2005
Benni McCarthy (Kenya)
Benni McCarthy’s taking part in profession was embellished with high-profile achievements, together with profitable the Champions League with Porto, a league title with Ajax, and profitable spells within the Premier League with Blackburn and West Ham. Following his retirement in 2013, McCarthy took on a variety of teaching roles, together with the place of a first-team striker’s coach at Manchester United from 2022-2024.
Since March 2025, McCarthy has been the pinnacle coach of Kenya, a crew with a historical past consisting of suspensions from worldwide soccer in 2004 and 2006 and from the African Cup of Nations in 2023.
Presently sitting 113th within the FIFA world rankings and having by no means certified for the World Cup, Kenya can be hoping that the skilled McCarthy can cause them to success on the worldwide stage in some unspecified time in the future.
Benni McCarthy was forwards coach at Outdated Trafford between 2002 and 2024
Dwight Yorke (Trinidad and Tobago)
Dwight Yorke is especially remembered as a Manchester United treble winner, for his lethal partnership with Andy Cole and his off-the-pitch partying which earned him the nickname ‘all-night Dwight’.
Nevertheless, Yorke’s post-playing profession has seen him reveal his professionalism, taking up the pinnacle coach position of his residence nation Trinidad and Tobago.
As a participant Yorke was a part of an thrilling Trinidad and Tobago crew that certified for the 2006 World Cup. Following his transition right into a supervisor, Yorke has returned residence to take cost of the facet, bringing his world-class expertise with him.
Regardless of the relative obscurity of Caribbean soccer on the worldwide stage, Yorke is decided to make an influence. His Premier League pedigree and expertise on the worldwide stage permits him to instill ambition and optimism in his squad.
Dwight Yorke shaped a wonderful United partnership with Andy Cole, and is now boss of Trinidad
Stern John (St Lucia)
Fellow Trinidad and Tobago legend Stern John was as soon as one of the crucial prolific strikers in Main League Soccer and loved stints in England with a number of golf equipment, together with Nottingham Forrest and Crystal Palace.
John is at the moment the supervisor of Caribbean Island nation St. Lucia’s nationwide crew. Regardless of being a member of CONCACAF – the Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean, since 1986, the crew has by no means certified for the Gold Cup.
Having guided the membership to a six-place rise within the FIFA rankings, John- who appeared on the 2006 World Cup with Trinidad & Tobago – can be trying to elevate the small Caribbean island on the worldwide stage.
Stern John represented Trinidad as a participant however is now boss of Caribbean rival St Lucia
Sylvinho (Albania)
Sylvinho, the previous Brazilian worldwide – who performed for European giants Arsenal, Barcelona, and Inter Milan – is the present head coach of Albania.
Recognized for his defensive intelligence and attacking full-back runs as a participant, he’s now bringing his tactical acumen to a nationwide facet desirous to punch above its weight in Europe.
Including additional firepower to Sylvinho’s setup is former Premier League winner Pablo Zabaleta, who’s a part of his teaching workers. Zabaleta brings essential perception to the Albania gamers, due to his expertise taking part in on the highest degree.
Having guided Albania to the group stage of the 2024 Euro Championship, Sylvinho can be trying to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with a vital qualifying match going down towards Poland subsequent March.
Sylvinho joined Barcelona in 2004 after leaving Celtic, and is now supervisor of Albania
