From Goalposts to Grocery Stores: 10 Footballers Who Took Surprising Jobs After Hanging Up The Boots

From Goalposts to Grocery Stores: 10 Footballers Who Took Surprising Jobs After Hanging Up The Boots

For all the glamour football offers, the game doesn’t come with a retirement plan. Some drift naturally into punditry or coaching; others vanish into the quiet of family life.

But for some, unemployment simply doesn't sit well, and they take on such strange jobs that it sounds like the start of a bad joke.

From World Cup heroes turned Uber drivers, to swapping the pitch for the WWE ring, every player in this list has found themselves in a strange new career.

This list is far from a mockery; it is a snapshot of reinvention.

Because when the final whistle blows, not every player finds themselves in the comfort of the studio.

Hakan Sukur - Uber Driver

Once a national hero of Turkey, Hakan Sukur’s post-playing career took a very dramatic turn. In 2002, he was part of the squad that finished third at the World Cup, scoring the fastest goal in the tournament’s history—just 10.8 seconds into the third-place playoff against South Korea.

The former Galatasaray striker should have retired comfortably, but life rarely works that way.

Since 2016, Sukur has been wanted for arrest for being a member of the Gulen movement and has been in exile in the United States ever since. He drove for Uber to support his family and, in August 2023, opened a football school, passing on his skills and expertise to a new generation.

Hakan Sukur will go down in World Cup history as scoring the fastest goal in the tournament. However not in Turkish history, as his accomplishments have been wiped from the records.

Why has @hakansukur been wiped from the records? pic.twitter.com/UayIR2YBtU

— Tifo Football by The Athletic (@TifoFootball_) May 22, 2023

Arjan De Zeuuw - Detective

A former Barnsley and Portsmouth defender, Arjan de Zeeuw always had a cool head on his shoulders.

After his playing career ended, the ex-professional returned back to his home country of the Netherlands and took up the role of a detective in organised crime.

Whilst it may sound like a strange career choice, it kind of makes sense. The former defender has swapped tracking strikers for tracking suspects.

Phillipe Albert - Greengrocer

A cult hero of both Newcastle United and Belgium, Phillipe Albert was a tricky defender who played in the Premier League for five seasons.

Many Newcastle fans reading this will still remember his audacious chip against Peter Schmeichel in a 5-0 win against Manchester United.

Nowadays, Albert’s craft is more down-to-earth, literally.

The defender, who played nearly 50 times for the Belgian national team, has become a successful greengrocer.

Albert has since hung up the greengrocer's gloves and is a full-time pundit for Belgian TV. This has not stopped his love for fresh food, though, with him stating that, “I enjoyed life, going about my business each day just like everybody else. And I love eating spinach, to stay strong, and apples.”

Whatever works for you, Phillipe!

Phillipe Albert vs Juninho. pic.twitter.com/JkecWReI6V

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) November 20, 2023

Oliver Spedding - Porn Star

For most non-league footballers, anonymity follows retirement. Maybe you are recognised at your local pub, or stopped for a photo on the street, but nothing more than that.

But for Oliver Spedding, his life took a turn that even the most imaginative tabloid writer could not have dreamed of.

He became a porn star.

After leaving Crystal Palace, he spent some time in prison before starring in X-rated movies.

Sadly, two years ago Spedding passed away.

Ken Monkou - Pancake Artist

Another ex-Premier League player who hailed from the Netherlands, Ken Monkou swapped marking strikers for flipping pancakes.

In his playing days, Monkou spent most of his career at Chelsea and Southampton, where he racked up just under 300 league appearances.

“It's quite a difference, from playing to standing behind the stove flipping the pancakes,” Monkou said.

Sadly, after running the pancake shop for two years in the Dutch city of Delft, it had to be closed down as Monkou went into punditry in the Netherlands and England.

Ken Monkou of Chelsea pic.twitter.com/wM1JdmsuCT

— The League Magazine (@Theleaguemag) April 18, 2023

Tim Wiese - WWE Star

With broad shoulders, a booming voice, and a figure that would suit a nightclub bouncer, it is no surprise that after Tim Wiese’s career ended, he moved into professional wrestling.

After playing more than 300 games in Germany and earning six caps for the German national team, Wiese set his sights on the WWE.

And on the 3rd of November 2016, Wiese’s dream came true as he made his WWE debut in Frankfurt, teaming up with Sheamus and Cesaro to defeat Bo Dallas and the Shining Stars.

Weise later left the WWE in 2017.

Tim Wiese - 1899 Hoffenheim to WWE (2014) pic.twitter.com/kcqE2TdPBj

— Transfersthathappened (@actualtransfers) January 3, 2024

Ray Wilson - Undertaker

Out of all players on this list, it is arguable that Ray Wilson had the most successful playing career.

He played over 100 times for Everton in the First Division, winning the FA Cup, but he also won the World Cup with England in 1966.

However, after his career ended, Wilson took on the job of an undertaker (perhaps he should have faced Tim Wiese in a WWE match!).

He retired from the business in 1997 and sadly died in 2018 after battling Alzheimer's for 14 years.

Jose Manuel Pinto - Zumba Teacher

The former Barcelona goalkeeper was often seen as a feisty player. He was once even sent off against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final for his involvement in an off-field scrap.

But now, he has channelled that energy into something more peaceful. He became a rapper and formed his own record label, Wahin Makinaciones, but he now also runs his own Zumba classes that he posts on his Instagram.

Pinto is still sweating and performing amazing skills, but this time in front of a camera rather than a pitch.

💭 I can’t believe this guy used to be our goalkeeper. Life after football has been great for him.

🎵 José Manuel Pinto’s “Tukapum” is 🔥

pic.twitter.com/Gbuem6iQHp

— Barça Spaces (@BarcaSpaces) August 21, 2025

Tino Asprilla - Condom Business Owner

You always have to save the best for last, don’t you?

In his playing career, Asprilla bounced around clubs like a pinball machine, and found himself at the likes of Newcastle United, Parma, Palmeiras and Fluminense.

He was also successful for his national team, Colombia. He played 57 times for the South American nation, including appearances at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

But since retiring, Asprilla has moved into… the condom business?

Yes, that is right; Tino Asprilla now sells condoms. He even went as far as to sell his raunchy products at a special rate in 2020 to help ease the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.