Benfica forward Ángel Di María has revealed that he is currently studying to become a football coach and will consider opportunities in the dugout when he eventually retires from playing. The 36-year-old, who enjoyed a distinguished career with top clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus, has had a significant impact both on the domestic and international stage, including helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup.
Coaching Ambitions:
In an interview with Clank Media, Di María confirmed that he is taking coaching courses as part of his post-retirement plans. The Argentine winger, who announced his retirement from international football after winning his second Copa América title in July, stated, “I am taking the course to be a coach. I am doing it just in case.”
Reflecting on his changing perspective of the game, Di María said, “From the age of 30, I started to see football differently and analyse it. I started to see it not only from the player’s side, but also how a coach can see it.” He acknowledged that coaching would be a more demanding role, saying it requires more time and effort compared to the relatively straightforward life of a player. “I know that the coaching side is much more difficult because it takes much more time. As a player, you just train and go home,” he explained.
Future Plans:
While Di María is not yet planning to retire soon, he admitted that he would like to enjoy some time with his family after hanging up his boots. However, he expressed an openness to transitioning into coaching after that period. “When I retire, I would like to enjoy time with my family for a while, but later on, maybe this can happen,” he said.
Currently playing for Benfica, where he joined in 2023 from Juventus, Di María has shown no signs of slowing down. He has continued to perform at a high level, contributing five goals and two assists in 14 appearances so far this season, including scoring in Benfica’s 4-0 Champions League win over Atlético Madrid in October.
Contract and Retirement Timeline:
Di María’s contract with Benfica is set to run until June 2025, meaning he is likely to continue playing at the top level for another season or more. Despite this, he has already started planning for his post-playing career, aiming to build on his wealth of experience in the game.
As one of Argentina’s greatest footballers, with a trophy-laden career, including major victories in Europe and South America, Di María’s transition into coaching will be keenly watched by fans and pundits alike. His deep understanding of the game and successful international career suggest he could have a bright future in management after retiring from playing.
