Jonny Howson reveals motive behind returning to Leeds United as academy player-coach — Leeds Live 7/9/25

The Leeds United favourite returned to Thorp Arch this summer in the first step towards his goal

Leeds United cult hero Jonny Howson says his ultimate intention is to go into management when he fully retires from professional football -with his role with the club's under-21s being a first step towards that.

The midfielder returned to his boyhood club as a player-coach in the academy this summer. He has already turned out for the under-21s, who are allowed a limited number of over-age players. The idea with Howson’s role is to guide youngsters as an in-game on-field mentor.

The 37-year-old left Middlesbrough this summer after 340 appearances for the Riverside outfit. He featured against Leeds in last season’s Championship campaign.

Howson is now back at the club where he made his break into senior football, and ended up making 225 first team outings. In an interview with sister title the Teesside Gazette, Howson outlined his mindset when it comes to future aspirations.

“As we sit here now, the idea will be to go and give it [management] a go eventually,” said Howson. “But in football now, there are so many different roles. It’s like I’m starting afresh really. That is exciting. I always knew in the past couple of years, you do start thinking about what’s next.

“That’s natural when you get to a certain age. It’s exciting because you don’t know where it might take you. I have aspirations in my mind: the place I hope it takes me, what I hope to achieve and what I hope to go on and do.

“That’s in a perfect world, but, as we know, certainly in football, it doesn’t always go to plan. Because I’m starting new, I’m not too sure.

"I might get six months down the line and feel it doesn’t suit me, or find something else that interests me. I can’t know for sure. But, as we sit here now, in a perfect world, I’d love to give managing a go eventually.”

After 750 career appearances, Howson said this summer was the time to start using steps towards life after a professional playing career. He is still getting used to the transition.

“If I’m being honest, it’s still new and kind of happening right now, I’m still not settled on what's happening truly,” he added. “There have been a few occasions where I’ve felt this is the right time though.

“I always knew it [playing career] wouldn’t last forever. This is just my time. I think it helps because I’ve seen some lads have it taken away from them. You can only deal with your own situation, but it helps put it in perspective.”