U.K. footballers who managed to find notable post-career success

An athlete who has transcended the pitch to become an international celebrity (there's even a movie named in honour of his football prowess). As a player, Beckham possessed the overall greatness to shine brighter than most. On the international front, Beckham posted 115 caps for England’s national team, which rank third all time. He was part of three World Cup teams (1998, ’02, ’06) and registered 17 goals during his time with the national squad, which officially ended in 2009. However, he remains one of the most recognizable people in the world. He's married to a Spice Girl, pops up on commercials worldwide, is an ambassador for UNICEF and club president and co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami CF. And that's just for starters.

A Liverpool stalwart, Carragher played his entire career at Anfield (1996-13). The standout defender served as the club's vice-captain for roughly a decade. He also spent time on the England national team, only adding to his legendary football status. Meanwhile, during and after his playing career, Carragher has been lauded for his charity work, notably for his time spent helping those homeless in and around Liverpool, as well as the youth of the area (23 Foundation), throughout the years.

There are English legends, and there are icons. Then there is Sir Bobby. He ranks among the country’s all-time leaders with 106 appearances (1958-70) for the national squad and is arguably the greatest player in Manchester United history. For years, Charlton's 49 goals for England were the most in their history, three of which came during the Three Lions’ run to the 1966 World Cup title. With Man U, Charlton scored nearly 250 goals. That success on the pitch has pretty much allowed Charlton to remains revered and cherished figure in England. His likeness has appeared in film United (2011), helped champion the England bid for the 2006 World Cup and London's chance to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. When Charlton passed away in October 2023, at age 86, time nearly stopped in England.

A longtime top-flight performer in English football (1989-2008), most notably for Manchester United, where Cole scored more than 90 goals from 1995-2001. Though Cole has endured some ups and downs during his post-playing career (surviving liver failure and receiving a liver transplant), Cole did turn heads when he recorded a cover version of The Gap Band's hit "Outstanding," in the late 1990s. With an additional rap portion, Cole enjoyed decent success with the track that cracked the top 70 on the UK Singles Chart, and remains popular to this day — in a campy sort of way.

A sturdy and solid defender, Craddock enjoyed lengthy spells with Cambridge United, Sunderland and Wolverhampton from 1993 all the way into 2013. Craddock, though, also employs some impressive and highly celebrated artistic talent. According to NFTWORKX, Craddock's paintings combine "traditional, classical sculpture but seamlessly blends it with an urban and modern twist such as graffiti or body art to create a new contemporary style that sees the two styles merge into one." 

Standing 6-foot-7 (2.01 m), Crouch is among more than 30 players to score at least 100 goals in Premier League play. Most of his time came with Stoke City, during an overall club career that lasted from 1998 to 2019. Off the pitch, Crouch remained a prominent figure in the football world. In 2020, the Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer sports comedy game show premiered on BBC One. Then in 2022, Crouch became a panel member of ITV's popular reality competition The Masked Dancer.

The superbly dependable right-back, Dixon made more than 450 appearances for Arsenal from 1988-2002. And, he also played for the England national team throughout the 1990s. Since retiring from football, Dixon has enjoyed a successful run within the football media. He was a popular pundit, notably involving the Premier League, for both the BBC and ITV. Since 2013, Dixon, along with fellow former English footballer Graeme Le Saux, have provided commentary for the Premier League on NBC Sports.

A potent striker, Dublin did spend time with Manchester United in the first half of the 1990s, but his true success came before with Cambridge United and after via stops at Coventry City (where he scored more than 61 goals) and then Aston Villa (over 40 goals). During the end of his playing career, Dublin turned his talents to music, inventing a percussion instrument called the "The Dube" — a form of a box drum. He's also been a popular football pundit in England, and returned to Cambridge as club director. 

Though not to the level of Beckham, Ferdinand's global prominence for his life on and off the pitch is sizable — to say the least. A three-time World Cup performer for England and Manchester United star centre-back (2002-14), Ferdinand is the among the best to ever play in the Premier League. Off the pitch, his chiseled frame and brooding good looks have made him popular with the jet-set crowd. He was sponsored by Nike, financed a film (2009's Dead Man Running), published a digital magazine (#5 Magazine), served as a football pundit, promoted several charity endeavors and even attempted a boxing career.

Starring for his hometown Liverpool side, Fowler played with the club from 1993-2001, then 2006-07. He also scored seven goals in 26 caps for England's national team. Fowler teamed with fellow Merseysider Steve McManaman (more on him later), became prominent race horse owners, and formed the Macca and Growler Partnership. Fowler has raked in millions of over the years via his horse ownership, equalling — or even surpassing — his success on the pitch.

Jones enjoyed a pretty brilliant football career, posting more than 30 club goals and playing a celebrated and aggressive midfield for the likes of Wimbledon, Leeds United and Chelsea from 1984-99. In addition, Jones served as captain for the Wales national team. However, Jones might be most recognizable to the world for his impressive acting filmography. Jones made his debut in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), then followed with prominent roles in Snatch (2000) and Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). Not to mention various guest-starring television roles.

Another legend in the annals of England's national side. Lineker is one of the most celebrated players in the history of the Three Lions, scoring more than 45 goals during his run with the squad from 1984-92. He was England's star at the 1990 World Cup, scoring four times. Lineker also enjoyed a well-lauded club career, totaling more than 230 goals for the likes of Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Spurs. When it was time to hang up his boots, Lineker's star continued to shine as one of the most prominent football media personalities on the planet. His run as Match of the Day presenter on BBC began in 1999. In addition, Lineker has provided punditry and commentary for Al Jazeera Sports, NBC Sports Network, and BT Sport. He's also co-host of The Rest Is Football podcast on Spotify.

The popular Scotsman is one of the greats to ever suit up for Rangers. McCoist began his professional club career in the late 1970s, before joining Rangers in 1983. He would go on to score more than 250 goals over 400-plus appearances for the beloved Glasgow side, before ending his run there in 1998. McCoist also managed the team during the first half of the 2010s. From there, he's enjoyed a long and successful career as a pundit and football commentator for the BBC, ITV, BT, Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video and EA Sports. In 2020, McCoist starred alongside Robert Duvall as fictional ex-Celtic footballer Jackie McQuillan, in the drama A Shot at Glory.

Another Merseysider, McManaman starred for Liverpool from 1990-99, then enjoyed a decent run with Real Madrid from 1999-2003. One of England's great set-up men and passers from the wing, McManaman has proven to be able to translate his on-pitch success to his post-football world; in addition to serving as a commentator for ESPN and Britain's TNT Sports, he's also serving in a pundit role for La Liga matches Setanta Sports. As noted, McManaman also found tremendous success, along with the aforementioned Robbie Fowler, as a race horse owner.

The great Gary Neville is a Manchester United institution. He played his entire career (1992-2011) with United, winning eight Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns. In fact, he should be one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking about the history of the Premier League. And, Neville has remained amid the English spotlight in his post-playing career, getting involved in the hospitality business via hotel and restaurant ownership, commercial real estate and even opened a higher-education school in the Manchester area. Of course, he's also a well-known pundit, working for the likes of Sky Sports and ITV. In addition, Neville was best man at the wedding of David Beckham and the then-Victoria Adams.

The Nottingham native never earned football stardom after joining Manchester United as youngster in 1990, though the defender enjoyed some serviceable seasons for Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Hyde United from 1999-2006. However, O'Kane's biggest impact has come off the pitch as he's brought awareness to autism, after being diagnosed last decade while in his mid-40s. In 2021, O'Kane's book "Bursting The Bubble-Autism and Me," was published, and alerted the football world to his plight.

One of the most feared strikers in the history of English football, Shearer holds the record for career goals scored in Premier League play (260) during a career that spanned from 1992-2006. Once his glory days as a player were done, Shearer became a prominent pundit for BBC's coverage of the World Cup and European Championships. He's also been part of the EA Sports catalog of FIFA video games. Essentially, Shearer's popularity transcends football, as he's a pop culture icon who has spanned generations in England and throughout the U.K. Shearer co-hosts The Rest Is Football podcast, with the aforementioned Gary Lineker, and Micah Richards, on Spotify.

On the pitch, the Scottish football legend is probably best known for captaining Liverpool and serving as player-manager for Rangers and the Anfield side. He was also a member of three Scotland World Cup teams (1978, '82 and '86), and served as captain during his national-team tenure. Back in the early 1980s, Souness made an appearance in the BBC drama series Boys from the Blackstuff. When his playing and managerial days ended, Souness remained a prominent and popular football figure as a television analyst, notably with Sky Sports and RTÉ Sport.

When Walcott called it quits from football in August 2023, it marked the end to a highly celebrated football career for both club and country. He starred for Arsenal, Everton and Southampton, and totaled more than 80 goals on a club career that spanned parts of three decades. Wolcott also was part of England's 2006 World Cup side and scored eight goals over 47 international caps. Those in England, and likely throughout the U.K., also know Walcott as the author of a popular children's book series revolving around the sport. In 2010, Walcott's T.J. and the Hat-Trick, T.J. and the Penalty, T.J. and the Winning Goal, and T.J. and the Cup Run were all published to high acclaim. 

From 1985-1998, Wright scored more than 200 goals for Crystal Palace and Arsenal. Though Wright dabbled in managing following the end of his playing days on the pitch, his true second-career calling has come via television. He started as guest host on Top of the Pops. then presented his own Friday Night's All Wright talk show on ITV. He was a team captain on They Think It's All Over, and displayed his love for motorcycles via Men & Motors. And, not to be forgotten, Wright appeared in the massively popular Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, and played a pirate radio DJ on Netflix's The Kitchen in 2024.