'A new chapter begins': Young retiree, Ibrahimovic sees a future in football

What is your state of mind after announcing the end of your playing career?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: It's been a long career, which I'm proud of. Today was my last day as a professional. I wanted to thank Milan and all the teams I played with. Let's enjoy now, a new chapter begins. When I woke up (Sunday morning, Editor's note), it was raining, I told myself that even God was sad (smiles). Even my family was not aware (of his decision, Editor's note), I had not told anyone. I wanted everyone to learn it when I was going to announce it, everyone would learn it at the same time. But the emotions were too strong, I felt like a zombie. Football made me become a man, introduced me to people I would never have been able to meet, I travelled all over the world thanks to football...

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• Serie A standings
• Serie A schedule and results

You have mentioned in the past the panic you felt at the thought of quitting. When and how did the idea of quitting finally come about?
Footballers have been programmed for years. Panic is waking up and not knowing what to do. The adrenaline will be different, I will no longer have an established program to follow. Usually I eat with the team, I will miss the locker room. But I am ready and I accept the situation. I made the decision in the last 10 days, I told myself now enough is enough. All players of course dream of finishing on the field, playing, unfortunately I could not (calf injury, Editor's note). It was still a beautiful emotion.

I don't think I will leave the world of football.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Do you have plans to continue in football, as a coach or manager?
For now, I want to take the time to enjoy what I've done, to savor. We must not decide too quickly, there are too many emotions today. I want to take the summer, think and when the situation calms down a little, we will look. Coach or manager, it's a big responsibility. Coach, you have less freedom than a player to do what you want. But I don't think I will leave the world of football.

Remarks at a press conference