Friday, 24th October, 2014
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has confirmed he plans to retire from football at the end of this season.
Ferdinand's contract at Manchester United was not renewed at the end of last term and he agreed to join QPR.
However, Ferdinand does not see himself playing beyond this season and insists he is already eyeing life after football, with his pundit work having already begun and his coaching badges in progress.
Asked about retirement on The Johnathan Ross Show, to air tomorrow on ITV at 10:10pm, he replied: "I probably think the end of this season.
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"I'm not fearful of retirement, I'm looking forward to it, I can see some good stuff hopefully happening ahead.
"You get to a time where you start understanding your body and the strains playing football [is] putting your body through, going out and training every day.
"I will stay in football I'm sure in some capacity. I've signed to BT and stuff and I've done stuff with the BBC at the World Cup which I really enjoyed and it's something I'm sure I will take up and do a bit more
"I'm doing my [coaching] badges as well and there are other bits and pieces outside of football."
Ferdinand was left on the bench by QPR for their clash against Liverpool last weekend at Loftus Road, which saw the R's beaten 3-2 by the Reds. He will hope to return for Monday's game against Aston Villa.
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