Ex-Charlton Athletic, Swansea and Liverpool star Jonjo Shelvey seals new career move | OneFootball

Former football star Jonjo Shelvey drops two bombshells as he embarks on a surprising new chapter in his career.

Former Charlton Athletic, Swansea City and Liverpool ace Jonjo Shelvey has just dropped not one, but two bombshells as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.

Following a successful career in England, the 34-year-old had been playing for UAE second-tier outfit Arabian Falcons FC, alongside ex-Manchester United and Birmingham City midfielder Ravel Morrison.

Not only has the Romford-born man hung up his boots, but he now has a surprising new role and will be working closely with another household EFL name.

Jonjo Shelvey becomes Arabian Falcons FC manager

After amassing 421 club appearances across the globe, Shelvey has retired from professional football and will now take charge as manager of Arabian Falcons FC, according to BBC Sport.

The former England international joined the UAE club in 2025 and made nine appearances, scoring once during the current campaign.

Interestingly, former Crystal Palace, Southampton and MK Dons star Jason Puncheon is the club's co-owner and head of football operations, meaning he will be working closely with Shelvey.

With just five games left of the season, a documentary will follow the former midfielder's first steps in management as they aim to achieve promotion.

When speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "My ambition is to climb to the very top of management, and this is the perfect project to prove myself and what I'm capable of."

Arabian Falcons occupy seventh position in the table but are only four points off the top two, which would be enough to secure automatic promotion.

Shelvey learned from the best during Charlton Athletic, Swansea and Liverpool spells

Like many former players, Shelvey must prove himself at a lower level before he is given his big break, but he has played under some stellar names in management, which can only help his cause.

The 34-year-old broke through at Charlton Athletic under Alan Pardew, making 42 appearances before securing his dream move to European giants Liverpool.

While Pardew was unable to turn the Addicks' poor fortunes around, he flourished at Newcastle United, where he was named Premier League Manager of the Season in 2012, guiding the Magpies to a European place in the process.

During Shelvey's time at Liverpool, where he made 47 appearances, he played under Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers, and also alongside Steven Gerrard, one of the best leaders of the Premier League era.

At Swansea, where he played his best football, the former midfielder played under Michael Laudrup, who led them to lift the EFL Cup in 2013, emphasising his nous for winning trophies and leadership qualities.