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Shola Ameobi has admitted that he is not outwardly looking to go into coaching once he hangs up his boots but has not fully closed the door on a potential switch to the dugout.

The 36-year-old, who is in his 20th campaign as a professional footballer, is to make a decision on his future at the end of the season.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has said he would welcome Ameobi as a coach at Meadow Lane, but the veteran striker admits he doesn't feel he has a passion for it.

β€œObviously management is something you think about and people have mentioned in the past that I’ve got the mentality for it,” Ameobi told the Nottingham Post.

β€œBut it’s not something I’ve ever thought that β€˜I want to go into it’.

β€œYou could see with the manager here that he had that authority in any situation. You could sense he always had that destiny whereas for me I don’t have that sense myself.

β€œIt’s something that if I do go into then I will give it my all. But it’s not something I feel I have a passion for.

β€œThere are stresses and strains and it takes a lot out of you - especially at Newcastle where they’ve had to deal with a lot.

β€œSome people make it look seamless and others don’t. I’ve seen both sides of it and I’ve seen how much you have to give.

β€œIt’s tough because football has been my whole life. But part of me just wants to be there for my family and my kids, especially the age they are.

β€œIn management you don’t get that and I’ve seen with Kevin that it’s stressful. But I am not saying I am never going to do it because sitting out the game six months, I’ll know I’ll miss it.”

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I can understand where Shola is coming from, it takes a special person to take on football management, I would think you need the hide of a rhinoceros with some of the abuse you might get from armchair managers. The rewards may be big if you make it a success but I imagine it can be very stressful and unhealthy if you can’t take the pressure. It’s definitely not a 9-5 job and you’d have to make sacrifices, Shola may think his wife and family are more important.

Apart from the money I'm not sure what would appeal about football management. In days of yore you could at least get settled and build something at a club. Now it's a new job in a new town every year or two, you put all the work into building a functioning team only to have it taken away because of a takeover or the board or fans have developed unrealistic expectations. This is very honest and self-aware of Shola and it's very understandable.

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