Cesar Azpilicueta takes post-retirement break after completing football directorship diploma

Cesar Azpilicueta says he needs a break from football following his retirement, despite completing another qualification that could support a future career off the pitch. Speaking to BBC Sport, the former Chelsea captain said he no longer had the energy to commit fully to an entire season and was now prioritising his family.

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The 37-year-old spoke while collecting a diploma in global football sport directorship through the PFA Business School at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. Asked whether he might become a sporting director, he left the possibility open without committing to that path. His immediate plans include golf and time away from the demands of professional football.

BBC Sport reported that his qualifications also include an MBA in business management from the Berlin School of Business and Innovation and a Harvard Business School diploma. Azpilicueta said studying helped his personal development and his final years as a player, rather than simply preparing him for retirement.

His departure from playing follows a career that included 11 years at Chelsea. The club's official farewell recorded 508 appearances and nine trophies after his arrival from Marseille in 2012. Chelsea highlighted his ability to play across the defence, using him at right-back, left-back, centre-back and wing-back. He won the Premier League twice, alongside the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League, before leaving Stamford Bridge in 2023.

As captain, Azpilicueta lifted the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Chelsea's retirement tribute also credited him with a club-record 13 major cup final appearances and the highest appearance total by a non-English player. The club said he earned 44 caps for Spain and spent two seasons at Atletico Madrid after his Chelsea departure, before playing for Sevilla in his final season. His retirement announcement brought an end to 20 professional seasons.

For now, a return to football in a different role remains undecided. Azpilicueta told the BBC he still follows Chelsea's matches and intends to visit Stamford Bridge again, but not as a player.