Cristiano Ronaldo rules OUT coaching career as Portugal captain grumbles ‘I don’t have passions for this generation’
CRISTIANO RONALDO has ruled out moving into coaching once his playing career ends, grumbling: “I don’t have passions for this generation.”
The Portuguese legend is undoubtedly one of the game’s greatest stars after winning trophies at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
On top of that, he holds several incredible goal-scoring records and netted his 900th career strike during the recent international break aged 39.
Ronaldo is now looking to continue hitting the target with Saudi club Al-Nassr.
He previously revealed he plans on retiring in the Middle East after a few more years.
But Ronaldo has now indicated that he does not plan on remaining in football once he hangs up his boots.
Some players move into backroom positions later on in their career, with a few eventually becoming top managers.
But unlike big hitters including Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso, Ronaldo is not interested in taking up a future coaching role.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo admitted he does not fancy helping the next generation come through as “they don’t take advice.”
He believes youngsters these days would rather sit on their phones than listen to their elders.
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And Ronaldo insists he has more pressing business plans to focus on that require all his attention anyway.
The ace said: “For me it will be difficult one day to be a coach, because I don’t have passions for this generation.
“It’s difficult, especially in football, because they don’t take advice by our experience.
“They think they know everything, they think the phones will give you good education, TikTok, Instagram.
“I have other things to worry about, another chapter of my life that is a business part that I’m excited about.
“It will be a challenge to me and learn other areas I don’t know, be more involved in my business and I think will be good.”
Ronaldo’s comments came after he lashed out at Man United boss Erik ten Hag.
He criticised the Dutchman for failing to understand the nature of his role by claiming United can’t challenge for top honours.
But Ten Hag fired back yesterday with a spiky response ahead of United’s trip to Southampton.
Cristiano Ronaldo's red cards
Ronaldo picked up his 12th career red card against Al-Hilal
- Aston Villa vs MAN UTD (2004) – Yellow cards for diving and chipping goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after the whistle had gone.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2006) – Straight red card for a high tackle on former United legend Andy Cole, of all people.
- Portsmouth vs MAN UTD (2007) – Straight red card for headbutting midfielder Richard Hughes.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2008) – Yellow card for a cynical foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, second yellow for a deliberate handball.
- REAL MADRID vs Almeria (2009) – Ronaldo’s first home red card. One yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal. A second yellow for aiming a kick at midfielder Juanma Ortiz.
- REAL MADRID vs Malaga (2010) – Straight red card for a stray elbow which fractured defender Patrick Mtiliga’s nose. Ronaldo said afterwards: “If he wasn’t 5 foot 6, I might have caught him in the chest.”
- REAL MADRID vs Atletico Madrid (2013) – Ronaldo received a straight red card for a high kick in Atleti captain Gabi’s face as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 on home soil.
- Athletic Bilbao vs REAL MADRID (2014) – Straight red card for striking an opponent in the face during a skirmish before a corner.
- Cordoba vs REAL MADRID (2015) – Straight red card for kicking left-back Edimar and pushing centre-back Jose Angel Crespo
- Barcelona vs REAL MADRID (2017) – Ronaldo made it a red card in the Manchester derby, Madrid derby and El Clasico in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup. The Portugal star received yellow cards for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal at the Nou Camp and diving. He made matters worse by aiming a slight push at the referee after getting sent off.
- Valencia vs JUVENTUS (2018) – Controversial red card after defender Jeison Murillo threw himself to the ground as the pair jostled for position.
- Al-Hilal vs AL-NASSR (2024) – Little doubt about this one as Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at defender Ali Al-Bulayhi.