Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand reveals he has rejected coaching roles

Rio Ferdinand has rejected several opportunities to move into coaching since retiring from football. The 37-year-old star finished his playing days at Queens Park Rangers in 2015 and has subsequently split his time between charitable work and punditry for BT Sport.

The ex-England defender has admitted to receiving offers to work as a coach, but is currently happy with his chosen career path. "I've had some calls, not for first-team jobs. I've had quite a few calls from different areas in football," he said, according to the Evening Standard.

"There was nothing that I was ready for now. I'm committed to BT and my charity work."

Despite this, Ferdinand has praised the work of his former Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville, who recently made the transition from the commentary box to the managerial dugout with Valencia.

"Gary's done it the right way, remaining involved with coaching here and there and doing the punditry, keeping your eyes open in European and English football," Ferdinand – who signed for Manchester United in 2002 – said.

"It's a great way to stay involved and learn, without being under the microscope or pressure [of management]. If you come across like you're quite educated, and you've got an idea about the game there's going to be chairman that watch BT and think 'he seems to have an understanding of it, like he could take my club on'.

"I'd like to think this could be a platform for me if and when I choose to get involved."

Meanwhile, Ferdinand claimed punditry has helped him to fill the void in his life after retiring from the game in May. "It's what I'd be doing anyway, in the pub, in my front room or my mate's. I'd be sitting talking about football.

"It's something I enjoy; I needed something else to supplement that buzz at 3pm on a Saturday or a Wednesday night. It's not going to be anywhere near what it was but it's something similar. It's being involved in something I love doing," the former Manchester United star said.