Joel Matip coaching role REVEALED following retirement announcement

The news of Joel Matip’s retirement spread like wildfire yesterday, despite no real fanfare or deal made out of it by the player himself.

After suffering an ACL injury in December last year, the centre-back’s contract was not renewed and he left Liverpool in the summer. There was no news that followed of him finding work elsewhere and it did leave fans wondering what the future was for the multiple title winner.

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As it turns out, he is already coaching his son’s youth side at the German outfit SSV Buer. 

What is Matip doing now?

Ruhr Nachrichten reports that the prestigious Buer academy have had an admissions freeze in place for a while now due to the level of demand, meaning that offering to coach was the only manner by which Matip’s son was given a place in the academy.

According to the report, Matip’s wife, Larissa, mentioned that Joel wanted to work as a coach and, in response to being asked if her husband had any football experience, replied, 'Yes, a little, most recently eight years at Liverpool'.

There probably couldn’t have been a better answer.

Matip was reportedly embarrassed that his name recognition had helped open the door for him, but we are well-equipped to say that if anyone deserves it, it’s Matip.

One of the most famous names to come through SSV Buer’s academy is Julian Draxler, meaning that the Matip family will certainly be well-placed for success both coaching and playing in future.

Matip’s retirement was done in his own understated way. Reportedly a scout from Hamburg got in touch to ask if their sporting director could discuss signing him, and he informed the scout that he wouldn’t be available.

Joel Matip will go down in Liverpool history as a stalwart of one of the greatest teams Liverpool have ever seen. He deserved more fanfare from the club but, in his own way, he probably wouldn’t have wanted it.

Enjoy retirement, Joel.