Stan calls time on any comeback
STILIYAN PETROV has ditched his plans to play football again at the highest level and is now concentrating on his coaching and management career.
The 37-year-old Celtic and Aston Villa legend has fully recovered from leukaemia and had targeted playing again after putting himself through a gruelling fitness schedule. He played in preseason games for Villa but Robert di Matteo (right) didn’t offer him a contract.
That was a serious blow to the Bulgarian star at the time but he has moved on from it.
Pertrov told the Sunday Post: “I wanted to play football again but it’s just not to be. I have to accept things and move on. After everything I’ve been through in my life in the past five years, I always remember that there are more important things.
“But my appetite for being involved in football has not gone away. I’m still hungry.
“Now my focus is on getting into coaching and management. I’m doing all my badges and going about it all in the right manner.
“Since I was a small boy, my father and grandfather taught me to give everything in life and be dedicated. I was a dedicated footballer and I will be dedicated in the next stage of my career.
“We’ll see what the future holds. But I will not be rushing into anything. I will take my time.”