Pledging fealty to Xi Jinping’s vision, upholding the national development plan and posing for photographs with Chinese officials: former Liverpool striker Michael Owen’s latest business venture is a far cry from the traditional life of the retired football star.
Mr Owen and his business partner, fellow former England and Liverpool player Mark Wright, have set up a Liverpool-based coaching company called Red Sports that will launch in China later this year. This makes them part of a growing cohort of ex-stars trying to capitalise on China’s football revolution, as billions of dollars are spent to fulfil Mr Xi’s dream of making the nation a powerhouse in the beautiful game.
“There are huge opportunities in China and Red Sports has been set up to fill some of the gaps outlined in the national plan, focusing on coach education and the development of in-school coaching programmes,” said Sue Wright, the business development manager and the wife of Mr Wright.