Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed the thought process behind his decision to leave England permanently and relocate to Dubai with his family. The 46-year-old former England and United defender cited lifestyle, safety, and education as the primary reasons for the move.
“We went over twice this year and I just saw a different side to it,” Ferdinand said to The National. “The education system felt better for my kids. Teachers feel valued there, and it’s the perfect timing for my children.”
Ferdinand emphasized that he’s not leaving football entirely but wants to prioritize his family and explore new opportunities. “I’m not leaving football, but it’s just not the governing body of my life now. I’ve got to be honest, it feels nice.”
The former defender plans to dedicate more time to his media company, investments, and tech projects while staying connected to football. He also hopes to connect with Manchester United’s huge fanbase in Asia.
“It’s freedom I’ve never had since I was 16,” Ferdinand said. “I wanted a new chapter, and I’m excited by it. I want the headspace and the bandwidth to be able to kind of go in and operate in different areas, which I haven’t been able to.”
Ferdinand also shared his thoughts on Manchester United’s prospects this season, stating that finishing in the top eight would be a good improvement. He praised the recruitment of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo but emphasized the need for more signings.
“You must see now an improvement in results, but you must see a style of football where it looks like these players are playing almost blind. The ball’s going, you can see the patterns of play repeating themselves on a regular basis because that’s when you’re knowing that the training is transferring to the match.”