Campbell wants to be one of England’s greatest bosses

Matt Stead

Sol Campbell says he is aiming to become “one of the greatest managers this country has ever produced”.

Campbell has been out of the game since retiring from playing in 2011, with Newcastle the final club of a near 20-year career.

The 42-year-old has since tried his hand in both politics and business, but says he is ready to return to the game.

“I’m older now,” he told the Daily Mail. “I’m even more mature than I was as a player. I can handle all that kind of stuff. I dealt with it as a player and it’s a little different as a manager but I’ve got the capacity to absorb all of that.

“I’ve the burning desire of unfinished business in football. I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and get stuck back in.”

The former Arsenal and Tottenham defender added that his target was to be “one of the greatest managers this country has ever produced,” while he was open to the prospect of starting either abroad or in the lower leagues.

Campbell also discussed how he has had phone conversations with Ajax assistant manager and former teammate Dennis Bergkamp about coaching.

“He’s still the same Dennis — legend,” he said. “He came from the rough streets of Amsterdam. He knew everything; the little stamps on the feet, everything. He was such a strong player. A top man, though.

“Ronald De Boer is there. Marc Overmars is the sporting director. I watched training sessions, studied the youth system, spoke to them all about how it was run.”