De Bruyne to take coaching badges as he prepares for life after retirement

Kevin De Bruyne is aiming to start taking his coaching badges next year as he considers a future beyond his playing career.

But an offer from the Belgian FA to put their national team players through the first stage of their coaching badges has turned De Bruyne's thoughts to what comes next.

And he has agreed to take his A and B badges, which would allow him to become head coach of a top-flight youth or reserve team, or a first team below the top flight – and paves the way for the Pro Licence required to head up the top teams.

“We just had a proposition in Belgium to do our coaching badges, A and B together, so that's something I'm going to do, because obviously it gives us a licence in a quicker period, in less time, than we could do it before," says De Bruyne.

“It's something I am going to do, not thinking that I want to be a coach or anything, but if I want to be in football, it's necessary to have this already, as a minimum.”

But the extra workload will not impinge on his focus in helping City to win more trophies – he intends to fit it around his playing requirements.

It is likely to include some coaching work within the City academy.

“If I find the time once in a while I am going to do this,” he said. “It can help me for later, but that's not something I am thinking about – I'm a little bit young. I know it goes quick …”

De Bruyne's former colleague for club and country Vincent Kompany is also working on his badges at the moment, but he will not be on the same courses.

“Vinny is in the English or Welsh one, we do it through the Belgian FA because we are international players.” said De Bruyne. “It's something special, just explained to us in November.

“It starts in March, I think, but everyone can do it in the time they want. The minimum requirement is a year, and they can work with their clubs, but it's something I have to figure out how and when I want to do it.”