Legendary French defender Marcel Desailly has disclosed the reason behind his decision not to pursue professional coaching despite acquiring his coaching badges.
The 1998 World Cup winner stated that after decades of active football, he was not ready to commit to another career of intense demand.
Marcel Desailly noted that the demands of professional coaching served as a disincentive for him to embark on such a career.
“I did my coaching badges. The only reason I didn’t go for it is the lifestyle. I didn’t want to be obsessed with only one thing in my life,” he told the Guardian.
“Because when you are a coach, it’s 100% of your soul. You need to kill the knowledge you have built over 20 years of being a soccer player, recreate a different philosophy, and be able to put it in place. I wasn’t ready to face the frustration,” he said.
Marcel Desailly also opened up on how football enabled him to build a successful life and impact other people.
According to him, through football he managed to set up a foundation and academy that help uncover and train footballers in Ghana.
“I’m lucky. Because of my wealth, I’ve been able to create an academy and do a lot of charity work in Ghana, to give back a little bit,” he told the Guardian.
“And at the same time, I continue to stay very close to football. I’m involved with FIFA. I’m involved with UEFA. It’s much more useful than being a coach, taking care of only one team. I don’t know if I was a star, but I’m now a legend. And through the legend, I feel the sun is shining.”
Marcel Desailly won the FIFA World Cup, Euros, and the Confederations Cup in what was a trophy-laden international career. He also won two Serie A titles with AC Milan and the UEFA Champions League.
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