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Former Chelsea, Arsenal and France international striker Nicolas Anelka has agreed a coaching role at Lille and is said to be happy to “cut his teeth out of the spotlight”.
Anelka, 39, retired from professional football in 2015 after scoring 157 goals in 508 appearances during a 19-year career in top-flight football.
He will now take his first steps into coaching and Lille president Gerard Lopez says Anelka will “work with players ranging from 14 years up to the reserve team”.
As a player, Anelka enjoyed success at clubs such as Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea before calling time on his career in 2015 after a spell at Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League.
However, his international career came to an abrupt end when he was sent home from the 2010 World Cup and was handed an 18-match ban after insulting coach Raymond Domenech.
Lille coach Christophe Galtier has spoken about Anelka’s excitement to take up the role.
“Nicolas is really enthusiastic,” said Galtier.
