Sheffield United striker, Billy Sharp, has dropped the first big hint that he fancies taking on a future coaching role.
The Blades skipper has seen his game time limited somewhat this season. He remains a key cog in Paul Heckingbottom’s squad. However, the form of Iliman Ndiaye and Oli McBurnie has seen Sharp relegated to playing a back-up role.
Sharp’s future at the club has long been a discussion point among Blades fans. There’re many out there who believe Sharp can offer so much off the pitch that a coaching role down the line is a certainty.
Billy Sharp – Sheffield United coach in the making
The striker has maintained this season that he believes he has plenty of football left in him for now. But speaking to Yorkshire Live, Sharp has dropped his first hint at a future coaching role.
“I am Brunsmeer under 7s manager. I got roped into that. I take my sons under 10s team, and I have brought my academy under 10s to Sheffield United academy and played. I am always doing bits like that, which I enjoy. It’s keeping my mind ticking over as well, looking at things differently, seeing how the younger generation look at football and seeing the smiles on their faces, which helps me because football isn’t rosy all the time and it does make you realise,” Sharp said.
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“I would like to do that in the future, but I am not looking over the hill and thinking that’s around the corner. I am all set up for it. I have got my badges now and it’s something that I want to do. I want to keep playing for as long as I can. I want to finish my career here; I want to play as high as I can, and I have got to be enjoying it. I will come to that when I cross it.”
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While right now – under the leadership of Paul Heckingbottom – it’s easy to see Sharp involved, so much can change in such a small time in football.
For example, it’s hard to imagine Sharp involved if the manager was previous coach, Slavisa Jokanovic. The skipper himself has admitted previously he wasn’t overly fond of the Serbian’s coaching methods. So, if it wasn’t Hecky, and a new man was in charge, Sharp’s ‘guarantee’ of a role at United would be called into question.
However, as things stand, it’s hard not to see the club keeping Sharp on in some way. If he’s already helping out with the kids at amateur level, then he’s getting good experience to bring to Shirecliffe.
If United keep progressing under Heckingbottom and win promotion, it’s hard not to see Sharp being offered some sort of coaching role.
