Eden Hazard makes management decision after retiring from football

Stuart Telford

• 16 Oct 2023 17:40 BST
• 3 min read

Eden Hazard is set to walk away from football for good following his retirement according to his younger brother Thorgan, of Anderlecht.

The elder Hazard hung up his boots last week, three months on from being released early from his contract with Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants' record transfer when he joined from Chelsea in a €146.1 million deal in 2019, Hazard disappointed at the Bernabeu, scoring just seven goals in 76 appearances over three seasons and failing to play a single Clasico.

READ: Eden Hazard & Real Madrid's 10 worst transfers of all time

Regarded as a club legend at Chelsea, and indeed Lille before that, the Belgian had excited fans when he said "Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends."

Thorgan: Eden 'not capable' of coaching career

Cue speculation that he could take up a coaching role at one of his former teams, Madrid naturally the least likely. But Eden's younger brother Thorgan has poured cold water on such speculation.

"He is mentally and physically not capable of doing that," he said in The Mirror's print edition. "And we won't see him in the dugout as a manager, either. He just wants to spend time with his family."

READ: Hazard offered trial by Premier League club mere days after retirement

Hazard reportedly had a handful of offers to continue his playing career after leaving Real in the summer, with Inter Miami, West Ham and clubs in the Saudi Pro League among those linked.

None met Hazard's professional and personal expectations, however.

"I'd have the Hazard of Chelsea at West Ham, yeah." West Ham first team coach Kavin Nolan admitted recently. "I'm sure if he wanted to come and trial we'd, I mean, I'd certainly be willing to. I don't know about the gaffer [David Moyes]. But I'd certainly want to trial him!"

A West Ham trial having been a Chelsea superstar might not have been to Hazard's taste, though, and what comes of him next remains to be seen.