England manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed sympathy for Raheem Sterling after the winger's recent troubles, as the former international takes on a coaching role at his own academy.
Tuchel's message on Sterling's struggles
Speaking about Sterling's recent misdemeanour, Tuchel said: "I have a lot of sympathy for him and I feel that he has struggled ever since he left Man City and he was at the peak of his career."
"I was fighting for this transfer and he could never prove the importance that he normally had. It was a big step for him at that moment in time," he added.
"It's sad to see that someone struggles because he was a devoted father for his children and he was a family guy, a nice guy to be around. It just seems that he goes through a difficult period."
Sterling's new role at RS7 Academy
Sterling, 31, has been keeping busy by working at his RS7 football Academy, where his social media pages show him running hands-on training sessions teaching youngsters the basics of the game.
The ex-Liverpool star initially set up the academy while looking for a suitable training environment for his young son, one that offers an alternative way of playing to the tactics-based systems at high-profile academies.
Combining elite coaching with personal development, the academy has seen big names such as Premier League legend Ashley Cole also run training sessions. The academy recently partnered with UCFB (University Campus of Football), with plans for future university students to take part and gain experience within the setup.
Background and current status
In September, Sterling admitted dangerous driving and possessing after crashing his Lamborghini in May. It comes after brief, disappointing stints with Arsenal and Feyenoord following his exit from Chelsea in 2024.
It was Tuchel, then Chelsea manager, who took Sterling to Stamford Bridge from City in 2017, where he became one of the best players in the Premier League.
After his run-in with police earlier this year, Sterling has been disqualified from driving ahead of his next appearance in court on November 25. He is currently without a club.
Sterling won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup at City. He has scored 123 Premier League goals across his career. He has 82 caps for England, the last of which came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
