Veteran Reading winger Matt Ritchie has revealed he is aiming for a career in management after his retirement from football.
The former Scotland international arrived in Berkshire over the summer on a free transfer after leaving boyhood club Portsmouth. He has featured 12 times for the Royals so far and provided four assists, including yesterday against Burton Albion.
Ritchie Outlines Retirement Plans
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio following the convincing win over the Brewers, the 36-year-old began to outline his plans for life after hanging up his boots. He said:
“I’ve got to be honest, I’m loving playing, I love football, I feel like I can continue to play at a really good level. Certainly, that’s my aim and ambition now for the foreseeable future.
“Hopefully I can be apart of this team and be successful, which I really do believe in. I don’t want to put added pressure on us but for me, we should set the bar high.
“In time, my ambition [is to manage] as with many players that come out of the game, I don’t take for granted the career I’ve had. If I’m going on to be a manager, there are no shortcuts. You have to go away, do your homework, gain experience.
“Where that may be. who knows, but for sure, later down the line, that’s something that’s on my mind.”
Ritchie signed a two-year deal at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, but has largely filled in as a backup to Randell Williams this season, with Leam Richardson’s side keen to extend the latter’s contract, according to Football Insider.
Jump To Coaching Makes Sense
With his experience throughout the game, both in club and international football, it makes sense that Matt Ritchie is considering a move into management after retirement.
With tons of experience under established coaches like Steve Bruce and Rafa Benitez while at Newcastle United, the 36-year-old has a lot of tactical approaches which he can consider using.
Minutes have been hard to come by for Ritchie up until his time at Reading, meaning he has likely been a leadership figure in training, giving him some sense of what he will need going into a coaching career.
However, it seems for the winger, it is too soon to make that leap, and he will feel he has a lot to contribute as Reading have emerged as a playoff contender after a successful festive period.