Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United could offer midfielder Juan Mata a coaching role this summer if he retires at the end of the season
According to The Sun, Manchester United could offer a coaching role to midfielder Juan Mata at the end of the season, if the star decides to retire in the summer.
Mata joined the club in 2014 in the winter transfer window from rivals Chelsea after two trophy-laden years with the west London side. In recent years, however, the player’s game time in the first team has reduced, with the Spaniard barely making any meaningful appearances this year.
A source at United spoke about Mata’s future, saying that he has the capability of making a real contribution to the club and was always willing to help rising stars, impressing the club hierarchy.
“Juan can make a real contribution to United in the future. He is always willing to help the younger players and has impressed the people upstairs.”
One of the most senior players in the team, the World Cup winner sees his contract expire at the end of the current campaign. There have been no discussions as yet on extending his deal by another 12 months.
“Coaching or management”
With limited game time of late, the 33-year-old has been working on his coaching badges on the side and also pursuing a management course. This has led to United’s club officials speaking about handing Mata a technical role at Old Trafford if he retires this summer, rather than the ambassadorial position they have discussed with him.
The same source said that there is a belief in Manchester that the Spaniard will follow in Mikel Arteta’s footsteps, and turn to coaching or management at the end of his playing career. Arteta moved from becoming an Arsenal star to their current manager in the space of a few years.
“There’s a belief he could one day follow a similar pathway as Mikel Arteta and move into coaching or management.”
With the player set to become a free agent in the summer, Mata could depart the club after spending over half a decade in Manchester. During his time at the Theatre of Dreams, the midfielder added a FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League trophy to his cabinet.
At 33, the star may well be past his prime and entering the twilight years of his playing career. Given this, the club’s approach to taking his footballing expertise along with his off-field sports career is commendable in their aim to strengthen their behind-the-scenes support at Old Trafford.
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However, retirement may be coming a little too soon for Mata, who has gotten several offers from Spain and Italy at the end of the season to continue his playing career. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the fan favourite in Manchester.
If this indeed turns out to be his swansong season with United, then he will depart as a player who will fondly be remembered for his equaliser in the FA Cup final in the 2015/16 season, and his famous double at Anfield to beat Liverpool in the same campaign.
