Leeds Rhinos: Soon-to-retire Sinfield eyes backroom rugby role ... hopefully at Headingley

CLUB LEGEND Kevin Sinfield says he would 'love to' rejoin Leeds Rhinos in a backroom role, after announcing his retirement from professional rugby.
Kevin SinfieldKevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield

Sinfield, who led Rhinos to seven Super League titles before switching codes last November, will hang up his boots when Yorkshire Carnegie’s Championship campaign ends.

Carnegie are at home to Doncaster on Sunday in a play-off semi-final first leg and Sinfield still has hopes of helping them gain promotion to the Premiership.

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He has yet to make a decision on what he will do after his playing career, but confirmed he is keen to remain involved at Headingley and said: “The obvious one would be playing a part with the Rhinos, given my 19 years there. It may be a dual role we can work out with Carnegie as well. That’s something I’d be keen to pursue, but we’ll have to see.

“I don’t want any favours, I don’t want anybody out of loyalty offering me a role. It needs to be a role that benefits everybody and we will see what happens.”

Sinfield, who has a Masters degree in sport business and said he is not looking for a coaching position at this stage, revealed he had been considering retirement since mid-January. “It has been a brilliant journey,” he said of his glittering career. “When I look back at my career, I’d rather go out too early than stay on too long, given how fortunate I’ve been.”

The former Leeds and England captain, who is the third-highest scorer in rugby league history, admitted retirement was a tough decision.

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“I’m probably only 99 per cent sure now,” he said. “I know the shape I’m in and where I am at. I’ve known rugby for 20 years, it’s all I’ve done for a job.

“To suddenly realise in a month’s time I’ll be without employment, that does make you a little apprehensive, but I back the training I’ve done outside of the game and some of the experiences I’ve had within it.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to transfer them on to whatever comes next.”