Former England international Rio Ferdinand has opened up on his decision to leave the United Kingdom. The 46-year-old is set to move to Dubai with his wife Kate, and two of his children, who remain in education.
There is a growing trend of former players heading out to the Middle East over the last few years, and Ferdinand feels there were at least three major factors which played into his thinking when making the decision to up sticks and head abroad soon.
Speaking to National News, the ex-Manchester United skipper revealed that a short trip to Dubai had opened his eyes to the prospect of living in the country, saying: “There’s not one reason. I went for the Global Soccer Awards at Christmas and I hadn’t been there properly for about seven or eight years. I used to go there all the time before.
“We spent time with a couple of (partner) Kate’s friends who lived there and I just saw a different side to it. I also have a business out there, Football Escapes. I thought about moving, then we went back again in February for a little look at the schools just in case and it just pricked my mind to think about it. That was almost like a big kicker for me because the education system felt different, felt better for my kids.”
Ferdinand felt that the two children were at the ideal point in their lives to be able to move countries, he continued: “The children who are coming are 14, which is perfect because it’s their two years of GCSEs starting this August. Then we’ve got a four and a two-year-old, so it’s perfect timing for them as well.
“And the curriculum is English curriculum, but it’s just done in a different way. I feel the teachers in the UK feel a little bit like undervalued, underpaid. In Dubai, it feels like they’re valued and the lifestyle means that they’re happy and vibrant with a good energy for the kids.”
The six-time Premier League winner then concluded by outright listing three of the biggest factors in his thinking, as well as adding that he no longer be in England as part of his punditry work. He concluded: “Lifestyle, safety, weather and just a new life. I wanted a new chapter and I’ve been doing TNT (TV) since I retired for the last 10-11 years. When I made the decision, I thought ‘this must be 30 years when my life is driven by the fixture list’. Not now.
“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.”