Virgil van Dijk hints at potential career change after Liverpool departure

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Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s captain and defensive talisman, has hinted he may pursue a new path in football once his Anfield career ends. Having signed a lucrative contract extension in the summer of 2024 that keeps him at the club until 2027, the Dutch centre-back will be 36 when his current deal expires, prompting questions about his long-term future.

Since joining from Southampton in January 2018 for a then club-record fee, van Dijk has transformed Liverpool’s defence and become one of the world’s elite centre-backs. He has been central to the club’s recent success, including a historic 2024/25 season, and assumed the captaincy after Jordan Henderson’s departure to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. In doing so, he became the first Dutch captain ever to lift the Premier League trophy with Liverpool.

In a recent interview with Vogue, van Dijk was asked about life after Liverpool and did not rule out a change of role within the sport. While the article does not specify a particular position, it suggests he is open-minded about staying in football in some capacity once his playing days at Anfield are over. His comments fuel speculation that he could move into coaching, management, or an ambassadorial role, given his leadership qualities and status in the game.

With van Dijk now in his mid-thirties, his future is naturally a topic of interest among fans. It remains unclear whether he will sign another extension, leave for a final challenge elsewhere, or retire at Liverpool before moving into a different football-related career. For now, however, he remains a cornerstone of Arne Slot’s side, focusing on maintaining high standards and guiding a new era at Anfield while quietly laying the groundwork for whatever comes next in his professional journey.