'That excites me' - Former Portsmouth and Luton midfielder Joe Morrell shares plans for future following retirement decision at 28
Former Pompey midfielder Joe Morrell is making plans for his future after announcing his retirement from playing last month
Joe Morrell has been speaking about his plans for the future, after the 28-year-old was forced to call time on his playing days last month.
And a career in coaching is what the former Pompey midfielder is focusing on as he looks to put almost two years of attempting to regain his fitness firmly behind him.
Morrell made the decision to retire in October after being unable to fully recover from a knee cartilage injury he sustained while playing for the Blues against Oxford in January 2024. A setback he suffered in the latter stages of his rehab that same year that also required surgery was also a major factor.
The call was made after 105 appearances for Pompey over three years, 37 caps for Wales - including 5 appearances at the 2016 European Championships and 2022 World Cup - and 170 league appearances in total.
The Blues’ 2023-24 League One title success also ensured the former Bristol City and Luton man ended his playing career with some silverware to add to his CV.
Morrell, who left Pompey in the summer of 2024 but continued his rehab at the club, has admitted his decision to hang up his boots was easier than some would have expected.
He told BBC Wales Sport this week: ‘People have come up to me, asking how I'm doing, as if they expect me to be absolutely devastated.
‘I can imagine if you'd been sat in a surgeon's office after a bad injury and they tell you that's it, you can't play again, that would be tough. But I think I might have preferred it.’
And as he continues to think positively about what his future holds, the former Fratton favourite has admitted turning his attention to coaching is something that excites him.
Morrell: ‘I’ve always been passionate about coaching’
‘I've always been passionate about coaching, always knew that I was going to go into it - it's just I expected it to be at 34,’ said Morrell, who has already completed his A-licence with the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
‘Perhaps others would have gone for another rehab and tried to squeeze another year out of playing - but I've maximised everything out of my career.
‘I was never going to be a Premier League player. I can guarantee no Wales fans came to a game and thought “Joe Morrell's in the team, happy days”.
‘I'm 5ft 7in, I was slow, weak, there was a limit where I could get in terms of God-given talent.’
Adding more on his thoughts on coach, Morrell continued: ‘It's about what your ideas are, how you motivate. That excites me.
‘And in a way I'm lucky to have gone through this because my USP as a coach, as should be any ex-player, is that I’ve experienced everything in football, everything!
‘I’ve played at an elite level, I’ve played at a really bad level, I’ve had to retire through injury, I’ve been captain, I’ve been dropped, I’ve been released - all of these things I’ve had.
‘It’s just about how you get those across now, like empathy should be my strongest trait as a coach.’
For your next Pompey read: How to get your ticket for south-coast derby game between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park