Arsenal’s Jorginho speaks out on his new found passion

Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has recently opened up about an unexpected passion that has taken hold of him — coaching. Known for his leadership on the pitch, Jorginho shared with Arsenal Media how his journey into coaching began, even though he initially resisted the idea. “You know, it’s funny,” he said. “Everybody always told me, since I was about 22 or 23, ‘You’re going to be a coach one day!’ But I always said, ‘No, I don’t want to do that, I don’t want to be a coach when I finish. It takes too much time.’”

Originally, Jorginho saw his post-playing career going in a different direction, perhaps as a scout or an agent, helping young players find their footing. But a chance opportunity at Arsenal changed everything. “When I came to Arsenal, they said, ‘Do you want to do your badges?’ I was like, I’m not sure, but why not. Could be worth having in the pocket one day.”

It was during his first session as a coach that the turning point came. Jorginho describes it as his “mistake” because he fell in love with the experience. “That moment changed my mind,” he admitted. “Now maybe it will happen. I did the B Licence, working at Hale End, and now I’m going to do the A Licence, definitely.”

For Jorginho, the joy of coaching lies in the interaction with players and the thrill of watching them respond to his tactical guidance. “I loved being on the pitch coaching, seeing the players, trying to see them play the way I was asking them. The tactics side of it and everything, it drives me mad!”

This newfound passion suggests that Jorginho may transition seamlessly from player to coach, a role that seems to suit his natural leadership and love for the game’s strategic side.