Former West Ham midfielder Jack Collison is delighted to be pursuing his management career in the USA.

Collison is a few weeks into his first managerial role as head coach of American side Atlanta United 2.

“It's been crazy but I'm loving it," Collison told the Mirror.

“Obviously every kid dreams of growing up and becoming a footballer, and I feel very fortunate to have been able to grow up and live that dream.

“But then to have that taken away at such an early age, I think the disappointing thing for me was as a professional player I was probably never, ever fully fit from when I was 21.

“It was always just a waiting game, just waiting for my knee to break down on me, so I always had that preparation in the back of my mind.

“When I made the decision to stay involved in football, thankfully coaching took my imagination and now it's that drive to keep getting better and keep wanting to improve that gets me out of bed every day.

“I suppose that hurt of having to retire so young, that's what gives me that fire in my belly now to try and become the best coach I can be."