Kem Izzet’s long-term goals

KEM Izzet sees his long-term future as a coach, when his playing career finally comes to an end.

Colchester United’s stalwart midfielder, who has made 416 league appearances for the Essex club over the last 11 years, is currently sidelined by a hip injury.

Izzet has no plans to hang up his boots just yet – he is targeting a few more years as a player.

But the 32-year-old is gearing up for life after football, and current boss Joe Dunne has been encouraging him to broaden his interest in the game.

“It was at the Swindon game when he (Dunne) asked my advice,” revealed Izzet, with regards the U’s 1-0 win at the County Ground.

“He said to me – ‘I’m not going to involve you today, I want you to get your hip right’ – instead, he asked me to go up into the stands and come down at half-time to give him my opinion.

“I felt a little bit weird doing it, to be honest, because I’m still a player and I didn’t want to go in between roles.

“I thought he was being a bit tongue-in-cheek, but Tony Flynn (physio) told me that the gaffer wanted me in the training room. I went and told him what I saw, and he took it on board.

“I think it’s useful to have someone upstairs, because you see the game totally differently to when you are at pitch-side.

“It’s something that should be used more.”

Izzet has been sidelined for four weeks, although in truth it has been a problem that has dogged him since the opening day defeat at Yeovil. But at least the lay-off has given him a chance to broaden his horizons.

“Coaching is something I want to get involved in, in the future,” continued Izzet.

“I’ve obviously got another year left here, and as long as I stay injury-free, like I have done for most of my career, then I still feel as though I have got a few years left in me.

“All I can do is make sure that I am fit, get some games under my belt, and start playing well, so that I force his (Dunne’s) hand to give me another contract after that.”