Chris Smalling discusses mentors, fitness regime and hunt for next club

In a candid 45-minute interview, 36-year-old Chris Smalling traced his journey from non-league football to 580 club appearances across three nations, including stints with Manchester United and Roma under Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. Returning to the north-west of England, he said his focus is on finding a new club, emphasizing that his understanding of his body now dictates training, nutrition and even genetic testing.

Smalling recalled his time at Fulham, where Roy Hodgson offered him a contract after a single practice, and his subsequent move to Al-Fayha, where he was a near-ever-present in the Saudi Pro-League. He praised the belief instilled by Ferguson and Mourinho, describing how it helped him push through injuries. Though he does not see coaching as his future, he is working on an educational initiative for youth players with the Global Institute of Sport and has several similar projects in the pipeline.