Former Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba has said Cristiano Ronaldo could struggle as a coach because of his intense mentality, while backing the Portuguese star for a future executive role at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo, now 41, continues to play for Al-Nassr and recently helped the club win the Saudi Pro League title in the 2025-26 season.
The Portugal captain is also preparing for this summer’s World Cup as he continues his pursuit of 1,000 career competitive goals.
Despite speculation over a possible move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami to join long-time rival Lionel Messi, discussions have also emerged around Ronaldo potentially returning to Manchester United in a non-playing role after retirement.
Speaking to GOAL , Djemba-Djemba said Ronaldo’s personality makes coaching unlikely.
He said: “I think director will be much better for him. I cannot see Cristiano as a coach, because Cristiano is a man who, every time, he wants to go up, every time.”
The former Cameroon international recalled their close relationship during their early days at Manchester United and said Ronaldo’s relentless mentality has remained unchanged.
He said: “I’m not surprised to see him play at 41 years old, I’m not surprised because I knew him when he was 17.
“I was with him, we were walking together after training, we were going to eat together, we watched TV together, sometimes in my house, sometimes his house, his mum was there, I saw his dad, when his dad was coming from Portugal to Manchester sometimes to visit, and Cristiano, he always wanted more, and more, and more, and more.”
Djemba-Djemba added that Ronaldo’s competitive nature could make life difficult on the touchline.
He said: “I’m not surprised to see him play at 41 years old.
“I’m not surprised because I saw him and being a coach will be difficult for him – he becomes mad very, very fast! I can see him as a good director.”
Former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson also backed Ronaldo for a future boardroom role at the club.
He said: “If you look at his mentality, he obviously cares about the club.
“I think he would say that he would like to come back again but in another way.
“I don’t think he liked the way he left so he’d like to come back and make United great again, on some kind of level making decisions.”
Simpson added that Ronaldo’s business background and mentality could benefit the club away from the pitch.
He said: “The business side is obviously very different, but he’s also a businessman.
“You can’t knock that team he’s got around him.
“I’d love him to because I think he’s got a lot to offer, even on that side of the game going forward.
“Just his mentality and everything he does, he achieves it.
“That’s what United need.”
Former United defender Wes Brown also supported the idea of Ronaldo moving into football administration.
He said: “He could definitely move into the boardroom, he’s got the ability to swerve away from coaching and into the executive level, 100 per cent. Why not? If he’s enjoying it, it’ll be perfect for him.”
Another former United player, Quinton Fortune, said Ronaldo’s connection to the club could even open the door to ownership involvement in future.
He said: “At Manchester United I could see him as a part owner, he’s done incredible things in football and also financially, anything is possible because he loves the club.
“The club still loves him with the amazing memories he created there, if he got an opportunity behind the scenes I think he’d jump to be a part of it.”
