Benjamin Stambouli retires to pursue a coaching career

Benjamin Stambouli has ended his playing career and is preparing for a new role in football. The 36-year-old midfielder, who is currently without a club after leaving Metz, intends to move into coaching rather than remain away from the game.

Stambouli plans to start his coaching qualifications in 2027. Before then, he will continue building the skills he considers important for the profession, including mental preparation and video analysis. He also wants to study matches closely and learn through discussions with coaches as he prepares for the transition.

The French-Algerian player leaves the field after a career that included Montpellier, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham, Adana Demirspor, Reims and Metz. His final recorded position was defensive midfield, and his playing career also included spells away from the game after departures from Reims and Metz.

Stambouli has described the next stage as a chance to bring together what he learned as a player and develop it through coaching. His immediate focus is therefore education and observation, with the formal qualification process scheduled to begin in 2027.