“EVERYONE ASSUMES I HATED PAOLO DI CANIO’S GUTS, BUT I JUST NEVER HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIM”

Few would have predicted the path you’ve taken since bringing an end to 10 years with Sunderland in 2019: first moving to the Netherlands, then retiring at 32 and now embarking on a coaching career...

I’d enjoyed my time playing for VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie, but COVID-19 played a big part in my decision to retire last year. There were so many restrictions in terms of everyday life and travel, and I reached a point where everything was clear in my own mind: I wanted to go into coaching. Yes, I was 32, but in some ways I felt 36 or 37 because I’d been playing senior football since I was 17. Managers and coaches start so young now, and my thought process