Lukaku: ‘I will start coaching badges at the end of the season’ | OneFootball

Romelu Lukaku is only 31 years old, but the Napoli striker is already looking to his future career. ‘I will start my coaching badges at the end of the season.’

The centre-forward will turn 32 in May and is having a strong campaign with the Partenopei, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in 29 competitive games between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

However, the Belgium international is eager to keep expanding his knowledge of the sport and is thinking about his next steps.

“I think I do want to be a coach, a part of me believes that, but on the other hand, I also still have a few doubts,” Lukaku told Radio CRC.

“I will start my coaching badges at the end of the season, beginning the UEFA A and UEFA B courses, then I’ll see what I feel like doing.”

The tactician he worked with the best over his career is without doubt Antonio Conte, experiencing his approach at Chelsea, Inter and now Napoli.

Lukaku new lease of life at Napoli

NAPOLI, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli talks with his coach Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between Napoli and Parma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 31, 2024 in Napoli, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Coming to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was an easy choice for Lukaku, especially once he felt the passion of the fans.

“I never experienced something like that during a warm-up. After the game, I asked Dries Mertens if it was always like that, and he confirmed this is pretty much constant.

“The cheer of the crowd pushes you on, it puts pressure on your opponents. When it happens, that becomes difficult for the other team.”

With the departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Napoli had to change their tactics to a 3-5-2 formation and his strike partner became Giacomo Raspadori.

“Communication is essential, we all have different characteristics, but we can play together,” continued Lukaku.

“This also helps the coach to make his decisions. We are a group who get along off the field too, every Tuesday we organise Call of Duty tournaments with 10-12 players.”

Lukaku’s son is currently playing for the Anderlecht youth academy and is a chip off the old block.

“He wants to play in attack, not defence. He is certainly more technically gifted than me, but is working really well at Anderlecht. Naturally, I do not interfere with the work of his coaches.”