Azpilicueta prioritises family break as sporting director future stays open

Cesar Azpilicueta is putting family life ahead of an immediate return to football after retiring from playing, while leaving open the possibility of becoming a sporting director. In an interview published by BBC Sport on Sunday, the former Chelsea captain explained why he was not ready to commit to another full season.

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The 37-year-old said he believed he could still play but no longer had the energy to meet the demands of an entire campaign. After two decades of travel and preparation, he wants to spend time with his family and play golf. He even finds casual football difficult to separate from his competitive instincts.

Azpilicueta spoke while receiving a global football sport directorship diploma through the PFA Business School at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. Asked about eventually becoming a sporting director, he offered only a possibility, not a commitment. His qualifications also include studies in business management and a Harvard Business School diploma, according to the BBC.

His retirement itself was announced in May, rather than this weekend. Chelsea's announcement recorded 508 appearances between his arrival from Marseille in 2012 and his departure in 2023, describing that total as the club's highest for a non-English player. He spent four years as captain, with his appointment coming ahead of the 2018-19 season, and made a club-record 13 major cup final appearances.

Chelsea also documented a trophy collection spanning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. Azpilicueta earned 44 senior caps for Spain and spent two seasons at Atletico Madrid after leaving London, before completing his playing career with a season at Sevilla.

In its own retirement announcement, Sevilla highlighted his influence in the dressing room as well as his contribution on the pitch, thanking him for his professionalism. The Spanish club singled out Chelsea's 2021 Champions League victory over Manchester City in Porto as the high point of his career, when he lifted the trophy as captain. His playing journey also included Osasuna and Marseille.