Real Madrid veteran Thibaut Courtois outlines his future plans: ‘Want to play for another five or six years’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is not thinking about retirement just yet, but the Belgian goalkeeper already appears to have an idea of what he would like to do when that day eventually arrives.

In a recent interview with Tuttomercato (h/t Defensa Central), Courtois revealed that he wants to continue playing for another five or six seasons before beginning a new chapter with Real Madrid.

“For now, I want to play for another five or six years,” he stated.

This comes on the back of Courtois stepping down from playing for the Belgian national team in order to focus on his club career, while he is also on the verge of signing a new contract with Los Blancos.

After recovering from serious injuries that threatened to disrupt his career and returning to his highest level, Courtois believes he can continue competing for several more seasons.

Plans for once he hangs up his boots

Once he is done with his playing career, Courtois’ ambition would be to work with the club’s academy goalkeepers and help develop the next top-class goalkeeper at Valdebebas.

No thoughts of retirement. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Rather than managing a first-team squad, Courtois sees himself working in an area he knows inside out.

The Belgian would prefer to pass on everything he has learned throughout his career and help establish a high-level goalkeeping pathway within the club.

“I haven’t decided what I’ll do afterwards, but I’m not sure I want to be a first-team coach. With all the players you have to manage, I’d get old very quickly,” he said.

Developing the next Courtois at Valdebebas

The most revealing part of Courtois’ comments concerns what happens after his playing career.

He does not envisage completely walking away from football or Real Madrid. His ideal scenario would be to work with the club’s academy goalkeepers and play a role in their development.

Courtois wishes to continue at Real Madrid beyond his playing career. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“I’d like to work in Real Madrid’s goalkeeping department, creating a top-level academy to develop a new Thibaut Courtois rather than having to sign one,” he stated.

Having spent the largest part of his career at Real Madrid, he would like to help the club develop another goalkeeper of that calibre in the future rather than having to find one on the transfer market.

For now, he wants to continue playing for another five or six years.

Once his time between the posts eventually comes to an end, he would then like to remain at Valdebebas and help develop the goalkeepers who could eventually succeed him.