Manchester United could reportedly hand Juan Mata a coaching role if he decides to retire after this season.
According to The Sun, with Juan Mata’s contract with Manchester United expiring in the summer, the club are mulling over offering him a coaching role. But that would only be possible if the out of favour playmaker calls time on his playing days after this season.
There have been no reports of Manchester United offering an extension on his current contract to the 33-year-old. This would leave the Spaniard free to join any club in the summer. He has recently been linked with a return to Spain, and Real Sociedad and Real Betis are believed to be interested.
At 33 years of age, the Spanish playmaker could still have a few years of top-tier football left in him. In preparation for life post his playing days, Mata has started collecting his coaching badges and is also undertaking a management course. Being a technical player with an intelligent footballing brain, Mata could be well-suited to a coaching role, and Manchester United reportedly think in similar lines.
“Juan can make a real contribution to United in the future. He is always willing to help the younger players and has impressed the people upstairs. There’s a belief he could one day follow a similar pathway as Mikel Arteta and move into coaching or management,” The Sun’s source informed them.
Mata has been with Manchester United since his big money move from Chelsea in the 2014 winter transfer window. He has made 277 appearances for the club across competitions, scoring 50 and assisting 47 goals. The Spaniard has won the UEFA Europa League, an FA Cup and a League Cup during his time with Manchester United.
Mata’s game time has dried out over the last few seasons, however, as he has made just four appearances across all competitions this term so far. He does not seem to be a part of interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s plans.
With Manchester United reportedly not offering him a new contract, he looks set to depart Old Trafford in the summer unless he decides to hang his boots and take up a coaching role with the club. A big summer ahead for the playmaker.
