Alongside his first-team duties, Manchester United Lee Grant has been busy undergoing the process of becoming a coach in recent months.
The 38-year-old has become a well-respected figure in the dressing room since joining United back in 2018 and has received praise from the likes of Edinson Cavani in the past for his selfless character.
There is no doubt that the addition of Grant will have done our fellow goalkeepers, and less experienced players, the world of good since his arrival just over three years ago, and the former Stoke City keeper is now looking to home in on those educational abilities for his next career move, once he hangs up the gloves.
He spoke about the different things that he is currently doing to forge that career pathway and the advice he has received from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“I’ve been very much intent on progressing and I’m now at a stage where my [UEFA] A-Licence is in my back pocket, I’m hopeful to be on the cohort of the next Pro-Licence,”he told MUTV’s Stewart Gardner.
“I’m currently studying for my LMA Diploma in Football Management, which is a diploma that the manager at this football club has taken, so he’s given me great encouragement in pursuing that.
“There’s a possible degree in business that’s coming along in the pipeline as well so [there are] lots and lots going on.”
Grant mentioned Solskjaer's support, and he went on to speak about the support he has received from the club in general.
Lee wants to continue showing his appreciation for that backing by doing as much as he can, within his first-team role, to assist his team-mates.
“Like I say, the club are supporting me in all of those ventures, and even down to allowing me to coach when I need to.
“It actually hasn’t been possible yet as there’s been so much on in terms of the playing schedule, pre-season and, of course, I’ve been involved in the teams and the travelling squads, which is wonderful because I’m doing this role primarily to help the team but, of course, with an eye on what’s coming next as well.”
“That's certainly part of my thinking in terms of remaining at the football club,”he said, speaking back in July.
“I've got really great options at this football club to progress, and the club have been so, so great with me in doing that.
“Richard Hartis and Craig [Mawson], who are obviously my go-to people in terms of my goalkeeping aspirations and learning, they've been great with me. Of course, beyond that, I've got the first-team coaching staff and the manager, who have been really, really good in terms of allowing me to explore my coaching ideas.
“[I want to say] a big thank you to the Academy as well, because they've been great with giving me opportunities to coach. So, I'm really thankful for that and I'm hoping that I can continue to do that.”
Keep up the good work, Lee!