Robbie Keane is still struggling with the fact he is no longer a professional footballer.
But a determination not to fall by the wayside like some former pros has helped keep him on the straight and narrow as he forges a coaching career.
And the 38-year-old is happy to take it one step at a time, insisting he wants to learn his new trade before taking a top job.
So far that has centred on Ireland where he is a coach under Mick McCarthy, but he is set to double job as Middlesbrough want him as No 2 to Jonathan Woodgate.
Asked yesterday how he made peace with hanging up his boots, Keane said: “I haven’t. I love playing, I still love playing and joining in with the lads.
“I could have played on. I got offers for another year with different clubs. I just got s*** offers and s*** clubs I didn’t want to play for!
“I regretted retiring, genuinely. Every morning playing football then, ‘’jaysus, I’m not going to be doing that anymore’. ” Read more