Theo Walcott, the Southampton veteran, has hinted that the team's battle against relegation could prompt him to retire from football. As he approaches his 34th birthday in ten days, the English forward has said that all options are open to him at the end of the season, including pursuing a career in football journalism.
The club has endured a challenging season, with the sacking of Ralph Hasenhuttl and the short-lived tenure of his replacement Nathan Jones. Ruben Selles has since taken charge until the end of the season, and there has been some improvement in recent weeks with two wins from the Saints' last three games, which have given their survival hopes a boost. However, Walcott has admitted that the season has taken its toll on him.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Southampton's future, Walcott is keeping his options open, and retiring from football could be one of them. It's not the only career path he's considering, though, as he has also shown an interest in pursuing football journalism. Whatever he chooses to do, Walcott's long and distinguished career will be remembered by fans and followers of the sport.
When asked about his retirement plans, Theo Walcott quipped that he might retire in June and beyond, indicating that it could be time for him to hang up his boots. Nevertheless, he's currently focused on helping Southampton secure their top-flight status. He wants to pass on his experience to the younger players and help them improve their game, and only after that will he make his decision.
If he does decide to retire, he might consider moving into punditry, as many footballers have done before him. Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Micah Richards, and Thierry Henry are just a few of the footballers who have made the transition to the broadcasting booth.
Walcott has had a successful career in the Premier League, winning two FA Cups during his 12-year stint with Arsenal. He has also scored 78 goals in the Premier League and has earned 47 caps with England. Walcott's achievements on the pitch speak for themselves, and he has many options available to him once he decides to call time on his playing career.
