Virgil van Dijk has revealed one factor that he totally enjoys doing at Liverpool, and he’s additionally hinted at a possible future profession path.
We nonetheless don’t know if the Reds captain shall be on the membership this time subsequent 12 months (when he’ll be 34), with no signal of a contract extension simply but – his present deal expires on the finish of this season.
Regardless of the uncertainty over his instant future, the Dutchman has been discussing some potentialities for what he may do when he calls time on his taking part in profession.
Van Dijk not ruling out administration
Talking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Van Dijk refused to rule out the potential of following in Arne Slot’s footsteps and changing into a supervisor, whereas he mentioned that he likes to keep watch over the academy groups at Liverpool and observe the progress of the kids coming by way of that setup.
When the query about administration was put to the 33-year-old, he replied: “I mentioned no, however that’s additionally as a result of coming to this hectic, busy, on-it life that my household is sacrificing lots, my spouse and my child. To then have a 12 months off or two years off after which going again into it… I don’t suppose I see it taking place, however by no means say by no means.
“I actually really feel like I undoubtedly will give one thing again to soccer. I like working and seeing youthful gamers on the market. I like going, for instance, to the Liverpool Academy to observe the [underage teams]…I might love to remain in soccer sooner or later, however at my time, I don’t know which type of position, and it’s too distant to consider it.”
Might Van Dijk turn out to be an elite supervisor sooner or later?
The transition from taking part in to administration generally is a difficult one – as Steven Gerrard is discovering amid studies that he could possibly be sacked by Al-Ettifaq – but when Van Dijk’s on-field manner is any indication, he could possibly be tailored for all times within the dugout in a number of years’ time.
The Dutchman appeared the clearcut alternative for the Liverpool captaincy as soon as Jordan Henderson departed in final 12 months, and through one pre-season match that summer season at which paying spectators weren’t current, his management traits have been exhibited by his fixed barking of directions to his teammates.
Even when the 33-year-old doesn’t turn out to be a front-facing supervisor, he might fulfill his enthusiasm for soccer by working beneath a primary as a part of a backroom teaching ticket, which brings nowhere close to the identical stage of public scrutiny as being the primary man in cost.
Alternatively, he might minimize his enamel as an academy coach (simply as Gerrard did with the Reds) earlier than doubtlessly getting right into a first-team surroundings.
Van Dijk as a supervisor in a number of years’ time could be an intrigiung prospect to think about, however for now let’s simply respect him as a world-class defender and hold these fingers crossed that he’ll nonetheless be carrying the quantity 4 shirt at Liverpool by the beginning of subsequent season!
