A Premier League icon has announced his retirement from football and has been immediately appointed the new manager of a third division club
Former Liverpool and Premier League midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has announced his retirement from football and will immediately take on his first managerial job.
The 34-year-old left England in 2025 to move to the UAE and join third division side Arabian Falcons. Shelvey played eight times for the team this season but will now transition into the club’s dugout.
Shelvey will now manage former Manchester United wonderkid Ravel Morrison and will be under the watchful eye of ex-Crystal Palace and Southampton winger Jason Puncheon, who is the co-owner and Head of Football Operations following a change of ownership.
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Falcons are third in the UAE Second Division and harbour promotion hopes to the top-flight this season, with the hopes that Shelvey can use his experience to help the team off the pitch instead.
Speaking on his appointment, Shelvey said: “I’m excited to take on this challenge and lead the Falcons forward. We have a talented group and a clear vision to achieve promotion and build something special in Dubai. My ambition is to climb to the very top of management and this is the perfect project to prove myself and what I’m capable of.”
Puncheon also added: “Jonjo is the perfect fit for our project. His experience at the highest level, combined with his character and hunger, will inspire the team as we push for promotion and long-term success.”
Falcons will also be chasing a place in the 2029 Club World Cup with top performing clubs from the UAE Pro League able to qualify for the tournament.
While the club will be looking for back-to-back promotions to give them a realistic chance, the new-look management and ownership could prove to be the difference.
Shelvey was capped six times by England between 2012 and 2015 and played 278 times in the Premier League for the Reds, Swansea City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Burnley.
The midfielder opened up about his decision to leave England for the UAE last year, saying he wanted a “fresh start” after feeling detached from the current state of the UK.
“I’ve had my time,” the Londoner said. “I’m happy and content. I’m just at the stage now where I want to enjoy football. It’s about waking up, enjoying what I do and spending time with my family.
“If I’m honest, I don’t want my children growing up in England any more. We’re very lucky that we lived in a nice part of the UK but where I’m from, originally, you can’t have nice things in my opinion.
“I’d never wear a watch in London any more. You can’t have your phone out in London, in my view. I just feel that the UK isn’t what it was 10 to 15 years ago.”