Rio Ferdinand has decided to pack up his things as move to Dubai after he left his role as a pundit at TNT Sports earlier in the year.
The 46-year-old former Manchester United and England defender has disclosed his reasons for moving following his departure from the broadcaster after a decade-long stint.
Ferdinand explained that multiple factors influenced his decision to relocate with his family.
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"There's not one reason," Ferdinand stated, highlighting various motivations including "lifestyle, safety, weather and just a new life." The move comes despite his eldest son Lorenz recently signing his first professional contract with Brighton in July.
Rio Ferdinand is set to pack his bags and move to Dubai
|PA
Education emerged as a pivotal consideration in Ferdinand's decision-making process. The football legend, who has five children including four-year-old Cree and two-year-old Shae with wife Kate, visited Dubai schools in February to assess options.
"That was almost like a big kicker for me because the education system felt different, felt better for my kids," he revealed. Ferdinand particularly noted the timing suits his 14-year-old child beginning GCSEs this August.
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He praised Dubai's English curriculum approach whilst expressing concerns about UK educators. "I feel the teachers in the UK feel a little bit like undervalued, underpaid," Ferdinand observed.
Ferdinand expressed relief at breaking free from football's scheduling demands after three decades. "I thought 'this must be 30 years when my life is driven by the fixture list.' Not now," he explained, describing the liberation he feels from this change.
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Rio Ferdinand believes his children will get a good education in Dubai
|"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."
Ferdinand mentioned maintaining business connections in Dubai through Football Escapes, one of his ventures in the region. He described seeking "a new chapter" after spending over a decade in television punditry since retirement.
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When Ferdinand announced his TNT Sports exit in May, he acknowledged the difficulty of stepping away after a decade. "After 10 incredible years, I have made the difficult decision to step away from TNT Sports after the Champions League final," he stated in his departure announcement.
Rio Ferdinand left TNT Sports after a decade earlier this year | PA"For a football fan like me, it's been a dream come true."
Looking ahead, he mentioned plans to focus on family time, Rio Ferdinand Presents and various business ventures.