Former Celtic star eyes move into management after abrupt end to playing career

Kasper Schmeichel has opened up on the difficult adjustment to retirement after injury brought his Celtic career to an abrupt end.

The former Hoops goalkeeper called time on his playing career in May after a serious shoulder problem left him unable to continue competing at the highest level.

Schmeichel had remained Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper before the injury and had made no secret of his desire to continue playing, meaning retirement arrived considerably earlier than he had planned.

Speaking at the EFC General Assembly in Copenhagen, the Dane was asked whether he had found himself bored since hanging up his gloves.

He told talkSPORT: “Beyond belief. I have got three kids. I am a full-time Uber driver, basically. It is a strange transition. It wasn’t one I was ready for.

“Life throws these things at you, and I am adjusting. I am doing some courses, some TV work and driving the kids around.

“Because I didn’t retire on my own terms, I still have my competitive edge. I would like to be a football manager or higher. The fire is still burning quite strongly.

“I don’t really enjoy getting the [coaching] badges, but you have got to get them. When I am on the pitch coaching or helping youngsters coming through, I do get enjoyment out of that.

“My whole life I have been used to an expectation to perform, and I thrived on it. Now from one day to the next, that’s gone. That dopamine hit needs replacing.”