Premier League clubs such as Tottenham should be putting former players in executive roles.
That is the opinion of former Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen, who was speaking about his post-retirement plans.
Vertonghen was also envious of his former teammate at international level Vincent Kompany, who now manages Burnley.
Per The Sun, Vertonghen said: “Holland always seems in many ways, in the business and football side, ahead of everyone else.
“Ajax and Edwin van der Sar are perfect examples, with him coming from the football side going into marketing and then ending up as the CEO.
“It would be great, let's talk about Spurs, to have former players getting involved in the technical side. Not just on the coaching side, but in other areas.
“But it requires a lot of study. We can't be fooling ourselves and think we can come off the pitch and go straight into a big management job at a big club like Spurs."
He added: “I hope I can encourage the effort that you put into a group, working towards a certain goal and creating that spirit within an organization to reach those goals.
“That's something you find on the football pitch as well, getting all the noses in the same direction.That's one of the things I can help with.
“Lots of football organizations are big businesses and I need to be led by guys with experience.
“But a mix of people is best. If I can learn from those people during my career, that's the best way to do it.
“It's a benefit for the club and the player to get players involved in the organization during their career."
Vertonghen finished on Kompany: “Vincent is one of the guys that I saw during his career who has that passion of waking up at six and opening his laptop until 12 at night, and then probably dreaming about it as well.
“In a way, I envy him because he has found his passion. “I'm looking for balance in my family life and professional life.
“I'm convinced that becoming a coach, which is even more demanding than being a player, cannot give me that balance.
“Not straight after my playing career, in any case.
“I cannot do a coaching job 60, 50 or 70 per cent.
“You need to commit 100 per cent, like I've seen with the coaches I have had , and I cannot give that to the job.
“But when I stop playing, I know I can't sit at home and do nothing.
“I hope I can find the same passion as Vincent and the same passion I have had during my career on the pitch."
