Osi Umenyiora lends support to ex-New York Giants boss Tom Coughlin

Tom Coughlin has "earned the right" to extend his coaching career at another team after his New York Giants exit, believes Osi Umenyiora.

The three-time Super Bowl winner Coughlin left his job as the head coach of the Giants at the start of the month after a 12-year stint but has insisted he will not retire.

The 69-year-old interviewed for the head coach vacancy at the Philadelphia Eagles last week, and his former player Umenyiora has backed his former boss.

He's earned the right to do whatever he wants to do in the NFL.

"If he wants to keep coaching and that's the team that will give him a job, I'll be happy for him," Umenyiora told Sky Sports.

"He loves coaching and if that's what he wants to do, who am I to tell him to stop? He's earned the right to do whatever he wants to do in the NFL.

"Whoever hires him will be getting a heck of a coach."

Former defensive end Umenyiora won a pair of Super Bowls under Coughlin's guidance during his spell with the Giants, and after a brief switch to the Atlanta Falcons, he brought down the curtain on his career back in New York.

He claims that, after such a successful working relationship with Coughlin, it will be a shock to see him coaching in rival colours.

Umenyiora said: "Absolutely, that will be weird. You associate the New York Giants with Tom Coughlin, and Tom Coughlin with the New York Giants. So to see him coaching for Philly or someone else will need some adjusting to.

"He's an old school coach but a good one, players will still listen to him. I think that stuff will work anywhere. Players are professionals and will adhere to whatever method is being imposed on them.

"Philly is not a bad place to be, I guess!"