Jonjo Shelvey offered surprise coaching job and delivers verdict on England return

Jonjo Shelvey told talkSPORT that he has been offered an assistant manager role at a club in Turkey.

The former Premier League midfielder, best known for his time at Newcastle, is currently plying his trade at United Arab Emirates side Arabian Falcons.

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Shelvey made the move to the Middle East in the summer after leaving Burnley, who he had only joined at the start of 2025.

Prior to this, the Englishman spent 18 months in Turkey, during which time he lined up for top-flight teams Caykur Rizespor and Eyupsor.

Now 33, Shelvey is approaching the latter stages of his career in the UAE, after previously playing for the likes of Charlton, Liverpool, Swansea and Nottingham Forest.

He is already planning for life after football, currently working towards his coaching badges whilst playing.

In demand

Shelvey’s switch to the dugout could come sooner than anticipated, if he decides to take one team up on their offer.

Speaking on Tuesday’s talkSPORT Breakfast, the six-cap former England international revealed his spell in Turkey may have secured him an immediate opportunity, but refused to name the club.

Asked if he would like to move into coaching after retirement, Shelvey replied: “I do enjoy the coaching side of it.

“I’ve actually had an offer from a club in Turkey to come in and be an assistant manager.

“I’m just unsure of that at the moment because my family are here and settled, and I don’t know whether I’m still a bit too young.

“But it’s something that interests me and I love learning the game, love watching the game and if there’s one on the telly, even if it’s the Azerbaijan third league, I’ll sit and watch it and try and analyse it.”

TalkSPORT

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While undecided on his opportunity in Turkey, Shelvey ruled out a return to England in the near future.

When it was put to him if he would consider coaching back on these shores, he replied: “At the moment, no.

“I’m loving being here [in the UAE] and it’s such a great place to be.

“Eventually, maybe [I’d come back], I don’t know. It depends what doors open up. But for this moment in time I’m loving being here.

“But you never know, if something pops up and it suits all parties then definitely.”

Shelvey’s career to date

Shelvey won’t be short of contacts in English football should he wish to return home.

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During his career, he has made 278 top flight appearances for Newcastle, Swansea, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Across those matches, Shelvey scored 23 goals and provided 27 assists.

He also earned six senior England caps, making his debut in 2012 as a 20-year-old, before making five further appearances in 2015.

Shelvey made the move to Turkey to join Caykur Rizespor in 2023, and recently opened up on struggling with a sleeping pill addiction during his time in the country.

Speaking on Undr the Cosh in January, he shared: “I went to Turkey for 18 months and lived by myself and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

“I ended up becoming addicted to sleeping tablets because I’d just got home from training and to pass time. I’d think, ‘what am I going to do now?’

“I was in a city that was a Muslim-orientated city. There were like three restaurants. To pass time I’d just end up taking three or four sleeping tablets and I’d pass out until the next morning for training.”