A footballer's career can provide the same routine for two decades, making the transition into retirement a major adjustment.
Former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is at this stage, and he revealed that he is getting adjusted to his new reality.
The former Denmark international was forced to retire earlier this year after undergoing surgery to repair a troublesome shoulder injury. He spent the final two seasons of his career at Celtic, winning the Scottish Premiership twice.
Kasper Schmeichel Opens Up on Life After Football and Management Ambition
Former Leicester City and Celtic goalkeeper Schmeichel spoke at the EFC General Assembly in Copenhagen about his experience of life after football.
He joked that much of his time is now spent driving his three children around, describing himself as a “full-time Uber driver”.
He also admitted that he was not prepared to end his career when he did and still has his competitive edge in him, as a result.
"Beyond belief. I have got three kids. I am a full-time Uber driver, basically. It is a strange transition. It wasn’t one I was ready for. Life throws these things at you, and I am adjusting.
"I am doing some courses, some TV work and driving the kids around. Because I didn’t retire on my own terms, I still have my competitive edge. I would like to manage – to be a football manager or higher. The fire is still burning quite strongly."
The 39-year-old admitted that he does not enjoy doing his coaching badges as much as he does working with young players on the pitch.
"I don’t really enjoy getting the [coaching] badges, but you have got to get them. When I am on the pitch – coaching or helping youngsters coming through – I do get enjoyment out of that.
"My whole life I have been used to an expectation to perform, and I thrived on it. Now from one day to the next, that’s gone. That dopamine hit needs replacing," he said (via Express.co.uk).
How Kasper Schmeichel Built His Career From Manchester City to Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel was born to Premier League and Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, and spent many of his formative years in Manchester.
He began his journey to professional football in Portugal with Estoril, but eventually joined the Manchester City academy in September 2002.
Schmeichel briefly played as the starting goalkeeper of the Cityzens in 2007, but eventually left the club in 2009 after failing to nail down a regular place.
He joined League Two side Notts County, playing there for a season before Championship side Leeds United came calling in the summer of 2010.
In 2011, he joined Leicester City in the Championship and remained there until 2022, when he left as a free agent.
At the King Power Stadium, he grew into a stalwart for the Foxes, helping them to gain promotion into the Premier League and playing a central role as they won the league title in stunning fashion in the 2015-16 season.
He played 479 times for the Foxes, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and FA Community Shield.
He also played for Leicester in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, with the club reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in 2021.
Schmeichel joined Nice after his contract with the Foxes expired, and he subsequently played for Anderlecht and Celtic before his retirement this year.
