2025-12-06 10:33:00

Nemanja Matic hopes to become a manager when he retires from football.

The 37-year-old midfielder – who played over 120 games each for Chelsea and Manchester United – thinks he could play into his 40s after signing for Sassuolo over the summer, following spells in recent years with Roma, Rennes and Lyon, but he is still thinking of the future.

He told FourFourTwo magazine: “I could become a manager one day. I’ve had top managers in my career and learned a lot from them. My experience across different countries can help, too.

“I’ve met many different characters from various parts of the world and can use that experience to help teams I coach in the future, hopefully.

“But for now I still feel good as a player – I don’t think I’ll stop in the next couple of years.”

One of those manager’s is Jose Mourinho, who he worked under at Chelsea, United and Roma.

He liked the Special One’s “old school” approach to management, while the boss in turn worked well with players who could handle his harsher nature.

He recalled: “He was unhappy with me quite a few times, but we had a good connection because Jose is old school.

“I speak to him like I speak to my father. He likes players who aren’t babies, and who can accept criticism.

“It wasn’t always easy with him – I’d do my best but he’d say, “You played s***.” I knew deep inside he liked me though.

“He also changed the Premier League – a bit of provocation – and made football more interesting.”

Matic also praised former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who succeeded Mourinho at the Red Devils and got his old club back up the table.

The Serbian midfielder wasn’t “first choice” under the coach, but he still had respect for him.

Matic said: “He and his assistants understood football – training was perfect and had every little detail ready for us.

“I felt sorry because Ole was a great guy and we were on the way to doing something big.

“I wasn’t his first choice in the midfield and never liked a coach when I didn’t play – I’d fight with them.

“But Ole was the first coach I didn’t fight with. He brought the players who weren’t in the starting XI together. He knew the club and the fans loved him.”

Visit Bang Premier (main website)