Arsenal cult hero Philippe Senderos has now revealed his new career as a teacher for the PFA, working beside Manchester United legend Gary Neville after retiring in 2019.
Senderos called time on a 17-year playing career three-and-a-half years ago following a brief return to Switzerland. The former Arsenal defender bowed out back in his homeland but has now shared his next career move. And it is one he hopes has an impact on his fellow players.
Arsenal were just one of the 11 teams that Senderos would add to his CV over the years. He enjoyed a seven-year career in north London between joining from FC Servette in June 2003 and joining Fulham in June 2010. Arsene Wenger paid the centre-back’s academy club £2m.
Philippe Senderos is an FA Cup-winning Arsenal cult hero
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Senderos chose Arsenal over interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid. He achieved quick acclaim in the game after breaking through aged 16. While Wenger gave Senderos his Arsenal debut in October 2004.
The Gunners’ iconic manager would also hand Senderos his Premier League bow in January 2005 before he had turned 20. Senderos quickly built on his chances to become a key player under Wenger, too. The defender even played every minute of their 2005 FA Cup final win.
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It would be the only major trophy that Senderos won with Arsenal alongside the Community Shield in 2005. While he went on to claim the US Open Cup at Houston Dynamo in 2017/18. The Swiss Football Association also recognised Senderos as its Player of the Year in 2006.
Philippe Senderos explains becoming a teacher with the PFA
Injuries denied Senderos his chance to feature for Arsenal’s 2003/04 Invincibles squad after joining from Servette. But he made a quick impression once available to Wenger and earned cult hero status. Arsenal fans even voted him third in their 2004/05 Player of the Year poll.
Now, Senderos – who also helped Arsenal reach the 2005/06 Champions League final – has revealed his new career, three-and-a-half years after retiring. He is working for the PFA with Neville, former Lionesses star Eni Aluko and Arsenal’s former vice-chairman, David Dein, too.
The 38-year-old is now a lecturer within the PFA’s newly-established Player Development Programme. He has taken up a teaching role to help active players prepare for retirement. It looks at football as a business covering media, football agents and other options to consider.
Senderos accepted the PFA’s offer to join its Player Development Programme after spending the past three years back at Servette. The defender returned to his former academy team as a sporting director. Now, he will use that tenure to teach Global Football Sport Directorship.
Senderos noted on his new career, via quotes by The Sun: “[I am] delighted to be part of the excellent new initiative of the PFA Business School’s Player Development Programme. I’m honoured to teach alongside the excellent experts the PFA has assembled for this initiative.”