Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted he does not see himself following the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney and becoming a manager in the future.

Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from professional football in June 2023, aged 41, after a 24-year senior career. The Sweden international, who played for Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, United and LA Galaxy, scored 511 goals in 866 club appearances. He also represented his nation on 122 occasions, netting 62 times before hanging up his boots.

During his brief time at United between July 2016 and March 2018, Ibrahimovic scored 29 goals in 53 matches and helped the club win the Carabao Cup and Europa League in his first season at the club. He left, however, towards the end of his second campaign and moved to the MLS with Los Angeles Galaxy.

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After Ibrahimovic ended his career 18 months ago, there had been some talk over whether he could be tempted to move into management. He has spent the last year in an executive role at Milan, and the former striker isn't interested in making the switch to coaching, branding it as 'too much work'.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Ibrahimovic said: "Do I still not see myself as a coach? Currently, yes. I don't want to be a coach because it's too much work for me.

"You have to cover so many areas, find ideas and solutions, prepare and follow the games, and coach. You work day and night. A year as a coach seems like ten years to me. So it doesn't appeal to me.

"Many coaches have a philosophy and a style of play, and then the individual player becomes insignificant because everyone is forced to adopt a tactic or a system as a single part. Of course, a coach's philosophy is important and is used to manage the team. But I think the individual player is the most important thing in the team. Because he goes on the pitch and makes the difference. And in general I don't think football becomes boring. Instead, I feel it continues to grow. You just have to be intelligent and not close yourself off to new developments."

Former United strikers Rooney and Van Nistelrooy have decided to create their paths into management over the past couple of years. Rooney is currently in charge of Championship side Plymouth Argyle after spending time at Derby County, Birmingham City and DC United, while Van Nistelrooy is in at Leicester City having enjoyed a successful four-game stint as interim head coach at United.