Nicky Butt, 33, is currently working his way through the courses
that lead to officially sanctioned coaching badges, giving himself
the option of following his one-time Manchester United team-mate,
Roy Keane, into management.
Although he has just enjoyed a fine season on the pitch for
Newcastle, Butt is looking to the future and told The Journal: "I
have started my coaching badges because that is something that
interests me in the future.
"I have done my first one and I'm halfway through my second one, my
A Licence.
"I don't want to dive in straight away. I would like to spend some
time with my family at home and do things that I can't really do
now, but in the future maybe.
"To be honest, I'm not thinking about that at the moment, I just
want to play as long as I can. But I would only play as long as I
feel good and okay.
"I don't know whether I see myself as a number one or just a coach
in the future. I'm just doing my coaching badges because I would be
foolish not to do it.
"You get given opportunities to do it by the FA and it makes it a
lot easier than if you weren't involved in football. I started
doing my badges with a couple of lads when I was at Manchester
United.
"It is difficult to fit it in with all the games you have. And then
in the summer, you can't just go away for two weeks and leave your
family.
"But I do intend to get it finished before I finish playing
football."
Can he succeed
Fergie?
