Tuesday 28 April 2015 16:32, UK
Peter Crouch is already contemplating a managerial career but says his current focus remains on making the most of his playing days.
At 34, the Stoke City centre-forward is not yet ready to call time on his days on the pitch but has started to make plans for when he retires as a player.
Next season he will take the first steps on gaining the necessary coaching qualifications which form the pathway to Football League dug-outs and feels his experience of working for modern managers and more traditional ones has taught him the best of both methods.
"These days, football has changed so much and when I first started, ‘digging people out’ was a regular thing but it doesn’t happens so much now," he said.
"There are managers who lose their rag and shout and scream at times. I’m a little bit more old school than some people these days but I like to think I can do both.
"A lot of the younger players now haven’t seen that and I don’t think they’d react too well to it. It’s more about putting an arm around the shoulder and trying to help him now.
"Maybe that’s the foreign influence and moving more towards a constructive approach. It’s become more professional."
I’m going to start doing my badges next year but I feel as fit as I have been and I’m loving playing here.
Crouch signed a two-year extension to his Stoke contract in January, a deal which will take him up to his 37th birthday.
Despite making plans for management, Crouch feels physically fit enough to remain a capable Premier League player.
“I’m going to start doing my badges next year but I feel as fit as I have been and I’m loving playing here,” said Crouch, as he met up with members of the Stoke City Community Trust, who were being rewarded by Barclays for their hard work in the local area.
“I want to continue playing for a good few years yet but when that day comes I want to go into coaching or managing.”
Peter Crouch was speaking at a Barclays event to inspire the next generation of fans to fall in love with football. To win Barclays Premier League tickets and other football experiences search: Barclays Spirit of the Game
