There is, according to Rene Meulensteen, only one managerial post that will hold obvious appeal to Cristiano Ronaldo – and it’s not Manchester United.
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All-time great chasing down 1,000 career goalsHas seen move into management speculated onFormer coach not convinced he wants that stressFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
At 39 years of age, debate regarding Ronaldo’s intentions when the day comes to hanging up record-setting boots has begun. He will not be retiring any time soon, with it his intention to reach 1,000 career goals, but a move into coaching has been mooted for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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Various landing spots have been speculated on, with it suggested that the all-time great may fancy a third spell at Old Trafford. Ex-Red Devils assistant manager Meulensteen is not convinced that a man with enough money in the bank to live several lifetimes in the lap of luxury will want the stress of being a boss.
WHAT RENE MEULENSTEEN SAID
One position may lure Ronaldo into the dugout, though, with Meulensteen – speaking in association with – telling GOAL when asked about a future in coaching for CR7: "He’s a strong personality, that’s for sure, and opinionated. I’m sure that he has been a big figure in teams as he has grown older. I only know Cristiano when he was coming into the seniors as a young, upcoming, growing player that made a massive impact. There were other leaders in the team, but he has grown to become a leader and lead from the front – scoring important goals and all that.
"Whether he has got that ambition to become a manager, I don’t know. Maybe. Would he like to manage Portugal in the future? I would probably say yes, because he’s so passionate about representing Portugal. I could see him wanting that. Although it is different, international management from club management, you still need to work. Sometimes you can be a man-manager in an international side without having to coach, it’s more about the man-management side if you have good staff around you – they can do lots of stuff. In international football coaching is so limited due to the lack of time that you have got. It could be something that is well suited to him."
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Ronaldo remains very much part of the playing squad with Portugal for now, while maintaining impressive individual standards at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man Meulensteen played a small part in making the Portuguese GOAT what he is today – with a tricky winger being transformed into a fearsome frontman.