Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hinted at a potential future in management once his playing career concludes.
The 33-year-old is already contemplating his next steps and has been asked about the possibility of a career on the sidelines.
Van Dijk, whose current contract with Liverpool expires this summer, has confirmed he is in talks for an extension but has yet to finalise an agreement.
The Dutch centre-back, who became the world’s most expensive defender when he joined from Southampton in January 2018, has cemented his status as a Liverpool legend, leading the team to both Premier League and Champions League triumphs.
Now, under the guidance of new manager Arne Slot, Van Dijk has continued to be an essential part of the team, starting all nine league games this season and showcasing confidence and leadership.
However, in a recent conversation with former footballer Rio Ferdinand, Van Dijk admitted some uncertainty about life after football, although he hasn’t dismissed the idea of stepping into a managerial role.
“I said no, but that’s also because coming to this hectic, busy, on-it life that my family is sacrificing a lot, my wife and my kid,” Virgil van Dijk said on the .
“To then have a year off or two years off and then going back into it…
“I don’t think I see it happening, but never say never.”
“I really feel like I definitely will give something back to football,” he added.
“I love working and seeing younger players out there.
“I like going, for example, to the Liverpool Academy to watch the [age-group sides].”
Ferdinand praised Van Dijk for his presence at an U16 tournament, emphasising the significant impact he could have on the young players in Liverpool’s academy.
Reflecting on his experience in Willem II’s youth setup, Van Dijk mentioned the possibility of becoming a youth coach in the future, though he clarified that he is not in a hurry to retire.
“I know, because the thing is, when I was younger, I was eight or nine, and we had a training session and the first-team players from my team back then, Willem II, two or three players came and trained with us, and I’ll never forget that,” Van Dijk told Ferdinand.
“I know what kind of impact it makes to the younger boys and the younger generation, but what they give to me as well, seeing them happy and playing with pure joy… that’s something that brings a lot to me as well.”
“That’s going back to the question, I would love to stay in football in the future, but at my time, I don’t know which kind of role, and it’s too far away to think about it.”
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