Former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has claimed that he started preparing to become a manager years ago as he felt injuries restricting his playing career.
Vidic recently announced his retirement after a disappointing two-year spell with Inter Milan in Italy, where he struggled to really stamp his authority onto the team.
The Serbian, who created a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand at United, has reiterated that he’d love to become a manager and that he started preparing for that step into the dugout a few years ago.
“It wasn’t like it just came to me and I said I didn’t want to play football any more,” Vidic told United’s official website.
“It was down to a lot of injuries I had in recent years. That’s one of the reasons I left United because I felt I could no longer perform at the level I wanted to perform at in the league I played in for so many years.
“It was a difficult decision in terms of knowing I’d played football all my life and I’m still only 34, but I knew my back couldn’t handle it.”
Vidic joked that despite his back failing under the pressure of constant top-level football, it should be okay sitting in the dugout.
“I believe my back can handle the bench though!” he added. “I would like to be a manager. That’s what I started preparing myself for a few years back.
“I would like to learn and visit some good managers and coaches and make the best of that for the next couple of years and after that try to find a club and start my new career.”
Vidic spent eight years at Old Trafford as he matured into one of the most fearsome defenders in world football, winning the Champions League in 2008, five Premier League titles and three League Cup trophies.
If the Serbian is as good a manager as he was a defender, especially during his days at Manchester United, he will be a very successful one indeed.
Vidic will also become the latest in a long, long line of former players to have been coached by Sir Alex Ferguson and then step into management once their playing days are over.
Ryan Giggs looks to be the latest to try and do so, while the likes of Paul Ince, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson have already tested those waters.
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