Sheringham backs Ronaldo to become Portugal manager after retirement

Teddy Sheringham believes Cristiano Ronaldo could take charge of Portugal once he ends his playing career, despite ruling out the prospect of the forward becoming a club manager.

Ronaldo, 41, remains in peak physical condition as he continues his pursuit of 1,000 career goals a landmark no footballer has previously reached.

The Al-Nassr forward currently has 979 goals, leaving him 21 short of the target. He appears determined to continue playing until he achieves what was once considered an impossible milestone.

Reaching 1,000 goals could then prompt Ronaldo to retire and begin a new chapter in football. That could involve owning a club or taking up a managerial role, although Sheringham believes the Portugal job would be the only position likely to appeal to him on the touchline.

“I can't see Cristiano Ronaldo being a manager,” Sheringham told BetVictor. “It's 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at whatever level you go into. I've known that from my short time as a manager, that it consumes your life.

“Football has consumed his life and wherever he goes, it's nonstop for him. Same as David Beckham. Most footballers or ex-footballers are allowed to switch off at certain times, but when you're at the top of your game, like Beckham and Ronaldo, you can't do that.

“I can see Ronaldo owning football clubs, but I can't see him being a manager. One exception could be the Portugal job.”

Sheringham, who managed Stevenage between 2015 and 2016, said Ronaldo’s lifelong commitment to football would make the demands of management particularly difficult.

He suggested Ronaldo may be more likely to pursue ownership, but identified managing Portugal as a possible exception because of the national significance of the role for the former Portugal captain.

Ronaldo himself dismissed the prospect of becoming a manager or head coach in December 2024. Instead, he indicated that owning a major football club could be the direction he takes after his playing career.

The forward has previously spoken about his interest in football club ownership. He also said the upcoming season was “probably my last year of football”, raising the possibility that he could look to take control of a club in the near future.