Shrewsbury Town's Shaun Whalley is game for management
He is enjoying being the boss in a virtual world for now – but Shaun Whalley has his eye on a future in the management game.
Town’s sprightly winger is a huge fan of hit video game Football Manager and can regularly be found glued to his laptop during down-time at Sundorne Castle and on the team coach.
The game, in which you can become manager of any football club and oversee all the specifics involved in being a boss, is a firm favourite with millions worldwide.
And Whalley, who turned 30 in August, is busy perfecting his craft for the time he hangs up his boots in a bid to remain in the sport he holds a passion for.
“I do want to go into management when I’m hopefully a lot older!” said the Liverpudlian. “I did one of my badges last year and I just hope that I get the opportunity.
“Hopefully that’s a long time away, so I’ll continue on my laptop for the minute.”
Members of the public often send in make-believe managerial CVs noting their achievements on the computer game whenever a real-life football management vacancy comes around.
Whalley and close friend and fellow scouser Jon Nolan are the game’s big fans in the Town dressing room.
But Town’s No.7, who starred in Saturday’s narrow defeat to Bradford, has neglected the role of a virtual Paul Hurst at Montgomery Waters Meadow in a bid to fill Jurgen Klopp’s shoes at his beloved Anfield.
He smiled: “I’ve got a great CV on Football Manager!
“It’ll take more than that to get a job though.
“I am looking to go into it but it’s many years down the line, hopefully.”
Whalley, while targetting a number of seasons before he hangs up his boots, revealed that a life-long passion for the sport was key to him sounding out prospects of remaining in football beyond his playing days.
The winger joins club captain Mat Sadler as another to have already begun taking coaching badges.
The former AFC Telford and Luton man said: “I hope people can see how much I love football in the way that I play.
“I like to be enthusiastic when I’m playing – I just love football.
“I’ve been in it since I was really young. Even in school, even primary school, it was all I’ve wanted to do.
“Luckily I’ve had a decent career so far but I want a good few more years playing and then wanting to take that next step – whatever that may be.”
