Football is a sport that requires both physical and mental agility, and it takes a toll on players’ bodies. Some of the greatest football managers also had promising playing careers cut short due to injuries, which forced them to retire early. Here are three famous football managers who retired early.
1. Thomas Tuchel (Retired in 1999 at 25)
Thomas Tuchel had to retire from his playing career at the young age of 25 due to a chronic knee cartilage injury. He started his career as a defender for SSV Ulm and made 69 appearances for the club. Tuchel’s playing days may have ended early, but he made a successful debut as Chelsea's manager in 2021, leading his team to win the Champions League.
2. Jose Mourinho (Retired in 1987 before turning 30)
Jose Mourinho started his career as a midfielder for Rio Ave in 1980, and played 16 games, scoring two goals. Unfortunately, his career ended at a young age before he turned 30 due to an unknown reason. However, Mourinho went on to become one of the most successful football managers of his generation, winning numerous titles with various clubs, including Porto, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.
3. Carlo Ancelotti (Retired in 1992 at 33)
Carlo Ancelotti had a successful playing career, winning numerous titles with AC Milan. However, his career was affected by injuries that limited his playing time and forced him to retire in 1992 at the age of 33. Ancelotti went on to become one of the most successful football managers in history, winning three Champions League titles, among other achievements.
In conclusion, football is a sport that can be cruel to players due to injuries, and it can cut short promising careers. However, the stories of these managers show that there is always an opportunity to succeed in football, even if it is not on the pitch.
Content created and supplied by: TalkSport10 (via Opera News )
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