Cristiano Ronaldo could turn to coaching when he retires, with ex-Manchester United attacker Michael Owen not ruling out an Old Trafford move for the Portugal superstar.
The veteran forward is currently in the final year of his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and will turn 40 in February as he nears the likely end of a glittering career.
Speculation therefore has turned to what he might do when he hangs up his boots, with the potential to take ownership of a new MLS franchise one mooted prospect.
But Owen, who joined United as Ronaldo made the move to Real Madrid in 2009, thinks he may move into management, and has suggested he could lead either of his former clubs.
“It’ll be fascinating to see,” Owen told TVSporten. “Just looking from the outside, it feels like he might want to be at the side of the pitch managing Portugal.
“He looks like a coach, he looks like he wants to coach, so he might want to go down that route.
“The Portugal job, probably in the future, might have his name on it. You never know.
“Of course, if he does well, then great teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid would then be looking at him.”
Ronaldo originally arrived at United from Sporting CP in 2003, and helped them to three Premier League triumphs and the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League before he left for Spain.
He subsequently rejoined them from Juventus in 2021, but fell out of favour with Erik ten Hag, and saw his contract terminated during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
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