The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

Retirement is something, many people struggle to come to terms with, whatever their job. My own father’s early doors, felt strange not going to work in the morning.

Work for him was to go to his business. Since that early jitter shall we say, Dad has concentrated on his philanthropy work, which has kept him occupied and out of trouble hehe.

More like I am the one who could do with staying out of trouble, hence the-sports-buff.com. In the life of a professional sports person, they too have to adjust to the life of retirement.

Some adjust to life well, others don’t always seem to end back up with a job in the sport. Here, I get my thinking cap on and talk about some football players, managers and even some boxers who don’t fancy watching daytime TV, but rather work instead.

Neil Warnock

Football fans, I am sure you heard the news that former Huddersfield manager Neil Warnock, is to return to West Yorkshire to manage the club he helped win the then Division two play-off-final.

In a glittering career that has spanned over 1,000 games in management, Warnock is missing getting irate from what he sees as poor decisions by the referee.

What surprised many was that the 73-year-old, only last month said he was enjoying retirement, or rather he doesn’t want to come out of retirement as he’s always booked appearing on podcasts.

Little did we know, the podcast involved being in the John Smith’s Stadium home dugout. Maybe, Neil has wound up Mrs Warnock? Someone will have to ask his good lady, but it’s possible.

It’s that or, the Mrs is sick of seeing him in the house and she wants some space. Whatever the reason, one thing is for certain The Terriers have the best manager they can find, as they look to avoid the drop.

Antonio Cassano

World Cup-winning striker Cassano, was always seen as something of a Maverick, with good reason too. He would get involved in many a scuffle, many a skirmish.

When the former Roma and Real Madrid forward decided to call it a day and hang up his boots, it was of little surprise (or at least in my opinion), when he decided to reverse his decision.

Antonio Cassano in the most Cassano-like way announced his retirement in 2017, just eight days after joining Hellas Verona. The same day he retired he chose to come back, but then retired again on July 24.

In August 2018 he decided to play football again, training with Italian Lega Serie C club Virtus Entella, but after just 7 days, he decided to hang up his boots for good.

Not one for sitting on a beach or living the quiet life in Venice or any other beautiful city in Italy. An occasional social media outburst on current footballing affairs, but other than that Antonio Cassano has been good to his word.

Louis Van Gaal

Legendary Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal is something of Holland’s version of Neil Warnock. Very outspoken, has been able to manage at a good level for a long time, and like the Yorkshiremen Warnock, doesn’t seem to like the quiet life.

LVG even joked about the matter of his wife wanting him out of the house. Van Gaal arguably wouldn’t have taken the Holland job for a third time, but his country were in need of him after Frank DeBoer’s doomed spell in charge.

The former Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Manchester United manager to his credit the Oranje to a World Cup quarter-final, where they narrowly lost to world champions Argentina.

Former manager Ronald Koeman, in news, what was confirmed beforehand will take charge of the national side for a second time. As for LVG, I wouldn’t bet against him taking another job.

Reportedly the 71-year-old turned down jobs for the Belgium national team and Portugal national team too.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex, arguably one of the greatest managers to have graced British football, as well global football too. In 2001, he shocked world football by announcing that he will retire at the end of that season.

To the delight of millions of Manchester United fans around the world, he reversed his decision and would stay on as manager for another 12 seasons. Sir Alex Ferguson would retire for good in 2013.

The legendary Scott has been true to his word that he has indeed stayed retired. In the years since Manchester United have desperately struggled, which has led to calls for Sir Alex to dust off his suit and get back on the touchline.

Fergie has resisted those calls. With current manager Erik Ten Haag doing a reasonable job in the Old Trafford hot seat, arguably Sir Alex is perfect where he is, in the director’s box.

Tyson Fury

Just like footballer Antonio Cassano, Tyson Fury is the definition of a maverick. From the antics against Klitschko all those years, to his mocking of rivals on social media, Fury does back up his talk in the ring.

The Gypsy King as he is also known has yet to taste defeat in his career, and after beating Deontay Wilder for a second time, appeared to bid farewell to boxing.

As this news was getting announced, Tyson Fury was agreeing to an MMA fight, at least that’s what it appeared. A fight with Dillian Whyte brought Fury out of retirement and the lure of knocking out ‘the dosser’ Anthony Joshua.

Floyd Mayweather

On our list is another boxer in the form of Floyd Money Mayweather. The American, boasted a record of 49-0 before he bowed out after his fight against Manny Pacquiao.

Naively, I thought after that fight against the Philippine great, Mayweather would hang up his gloves, pop bottles and go into the sunset. Not quite, this is Floyd Mayweather, who doesn’t go out quietly.

The 45-year-old has agreed to many exhibition fights with Logan Paul, Deji and Connor Mc Gregor. In case you didn’t get that vibe from me, no wasn’t a fan of any of these fights.

So, that’s my list, is there any I have missed? Do let me know in the comments.

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