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Shelvey to quit playing and manage UAE minnows

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CitrixNews Staff
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Shelvey to quit playing and manage UAE minnows
Jonjo ShelveyImage source, Arabian Falcons FCImage caption,

Shelvey won six caps for England

ByEmlyn BegleyBBC Sport journalist
  • Published35 minutes ago

Former England midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has retired from playing and will take over as manager of third-tier United Arab Emirates side Arabian Falcons FC.

The 34-year-old had been playing for the Dubai club, who were formed in 2023, since September - alongside ex-Manchester United midfielder Ravel Morrison.

Former Crystal Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon is the club's co-owner and head of football operations.

Shelvey, who played for Liverpool and Newcastle among others, made headlines earlier this season when he told BBC Sport: "I don't want my children growing up in England any more.

"We're very lucky that we lived in a nice part of the UK but where I'm from, originally, you can't have nice things in my opinion."

A documentary will follow Shelvey trying to lead Arabian Falcons to promotion in the final five games of the season.

He said: "My ambition is to climb to the very top of management and this is the perfect project to prove myself and what I'm capable of."

Shelvey started his playing career at Charlton Athletic and played in the top flight for Liverpool, Swansea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

He also featured for Blackpool, on loan, Turkish sides Caykur Rizespor and Eyupspor and briefly Burnley before moving to the UAE.

Shelvey won six caps for England, in 2012 and 2016 - all under Roy Hodgson.

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Originally reported by BBC Sport