Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur legend Sol Campbell has confirmed that he is in talks to take up his first managerial role.
The 42-year-old, who only retired in 2012, had taken a break from the game he loved to pursue a career in politics.
However, he is set to return to the game in a coaching job after failing to become the Conservative Party nomination at the 2016 election for the Major of London.
The ex-England star won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a League up during his 19-year career while also making 73 international appearances for England.
Campbell hinted that he might have to start his managerial career abroad though rather than in England.
“I am in active negotiations and we will see how things pan out over the next two or three weeks,” he told The Times.
“I am waiting for someone to come back to me.
“I will have to see the proposal.
“I am probably recognised more in Europe than my own country.
“Players and managers understand and appreciate me more.”
The former centre-half has some experience in coaching, having previously worked at Arsenal as a youth coach and he also expressed his ambitions of replacing Paul Lambert as Aston Villa manager in 2015.
But despite failing to secure a manager’s job in his own country, Campbell believes he has got what it takes to become one of the world’s top bosses.
“I have a fix or six-year plan and eventually I will get a top club,” he added.
“Everyone has their own destiny.
“Mine is to lead a top team in Europe and then, who knows, England.
“I am ready for it, for all the challenges. I was like that as a player; head down, committed.
“I have been through everything in life.
“Managers have to have that in their locker – humility, the psychological side, the fitness side, knowing when to put the arm around a player or to kick them up the behind; the brains, the patience, I have the fire in my belly.”
By Drew Darbyshire (@DarbySports)
