Chris Powell

[MHS]

Chris Powell may be offered a coaching role at Leicester City when he calls time on his playing career, possibly at the end of this season.

Powell, the oldest outfield player in City's history at the age of 39, is finishing off his A licence badge with the full support of manager Nigel Pearson.

"I've spoken to Nigel and we are looking to cement what I need to do to complete my badges and see where that takes me," said the veteran left-back.

"That could involve becoming a coach here or elsewhere, and then it also involves whether I carry on playing. I will decide whether this is my last season but, if it is, getting into the Championship would certainly be a great way to finish."

Powell, who has played more than 750 games during his career, would have probably gained his A licence by now, but admits he has had more game time than he expected.

He said: "I thought I would play games but not too many, and when I wasn't I would have been involved in the coaching. But I've been travelling with the squad, been included in the 16, started games and gone on as a substitute, so there's just not been time."

Powell, who was capped five times by England, is chasing a fifth promotion in a 23-year career after enjoying success with Derby, Charlton, West Ham and Southend.

He said: "For the past five seasons, I've been saying it's my last and I've then carried on. I've been fortunate to have a career of 23 years when the average is around eight. For me to be in this position and still thinking about carrying on playing is amazing."

And Pearson clearly believes Powell has a role to play in City's final promotion push after receiving a surprise recall to the side for the 2-0 defeat at Tranmere on March 11.

That was his first start since December 6 when he played in a 3-0 win over Southend.

Before that game, he received an award for passing the 750 appearance mark.

In all, Powell has made 21 appearances for City, most of them off the bench.

He said: "I have been fortunate in my body make-up and that I look after myself. I eat well and I have an affection for the game so I want to keep myself at the optimum level."

Powell says he provides the experience to go with the energy of the younger members of the City squad. He says: "The younger boys such as Joe Mattock, Max Gradel and Kerrea Gilbert will eventually have good careers. They have had an eye-opener in League One this season - we've tried to help each other along."

Would you keep him on in a coaching role at the club?

IMO he is a great role model, and there is no professional better for our young players to look up to than him, we should do everything possible to keep him as a part of the club.

 

[alex]

Totally agree MHS.

 

[SJN-Fox]

Absolutely MHS.

 

[spionfox]

IMO he is a great role model, and there is no professional better for our young players to look up to than him, we should do everything possible to keep him as a part of the club.

Fully in agreement with you.

 

[homer]

Being a decent bloke, or a 'model professional' does not make you in any way a decent coach

 

[Harbro-Fox]

Top bloke, I really hope we do offer him a role. I personally think he will go back to Charlton as a coach though.

 

[Mike - True Blue Tinter]

Being a decent bloke, or a 'model professional' does not make you in any way a decent coach

But he has done his badges as well.

 

[homer]

But he has done his badges as well.

Big deal

There are feckin' hundreds of ex-pros who have done their badges, and most of them have proven to be completely useless feckers when it comes to being a coach

Quite why everyone thinks that Powell would be some kind of super-coach that we simply MUST employ is beyond me

 

[FIF]

Big deal

There are feckin' hundreds of ex-pros who have done their badges, and most of them have proven to be completely useless feckers when it comes to being a coach

Quite why everyone thinks that Powell would be some kind of super-coach that we simply MUST employ is beyond me

Why do you think he won't be?

 

[homer]

Why do you think he won't be?

It is impossible to say - which is precisely why I am not wanking myself daft in order to employ the bloke

We need decent coaches at the club, not 'great blokes' who have just done their badges

 

[FIF]

It is impossible to say - which is precisely why I am not wanking myself daft in order to employ the bloke

We need decent coaches at the club, not 'great blokes' who have just done their badges

ok

So you're not saying don't employ him, just make sure he's the right man for the job?

If that's so I agree with you.

 

[spionfox]

There are feckin' hundreds of ex-pros who have done their badges

If Walshy had bothered he could have been our leader a while back :icon_bigg

 

[newtonfox]

great move ,if it happens, it could seeing as city paid £600 for his A badge

 

[Matt_B]

Big deal

There are feckin' hundreds of ex-pros who have done their badges, and most of them have proven to be completely useless feckers when it comes to being a coach

Quite why everyone thinks that Powell would be some kind of super-coach that we simply MUST employ is beyond me

Even Newts has done some of the feckers :icon_bigg