I was a Premier League and World Cup hero, now I’m set for new major role in the boardroom

Tim Krul is setting his sights on becoming a sporting director thanks to his diploma with the Professional Footballers’ Association [PFA]. The former Newcastle United, Norwich City and Netherlands goalkeeper is a free agent after leaving Luton Town in the summer. Aged 37, he has entered the twilight stages of his career but already looked to the future away from the pitch with his studies. Krul has graduated from the PFA Business School with a Diploma in Sports Directorship. Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones is among his fellow graduates as they eye a crucial role in transfers and recruitment. Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT on Hawksbee and Baker, Krul was on hand to explain the course and his plans for the future. “I started the journey two years ago through the PFA, there was the opportunity to start the educational sports directorship. “So, I think it’s really important for players not just to focus on their football careers, but also look off the pitch. Especially transitioning for players like myself or coming towards the end of their career.” “It was all official,” he added. “Every other two weeks on Zoom and then once a month, a full day in class. “It’s all accredited by the Portsmouth University so yeah, we had to get back to basics.” When asked about whether or not he has retired from football, Krul insisted he’s yet to make a decision as he explores a new adventure. “I’ve kept the options open. I’ve continued training with Luton over the summer. Krul is keen to take on a boardroom role after his playing careerGetty “It’s the best job in the world, apart from you guys, obviously. It’s not closing this door. “But one door closes, the other door opens, so it’s great to do this stuff on the side. “You see a lot with players, where they just kind of wait until the end of their career with different opportunities.” Krul’s career in professional football so far Formerly of the ADO Den Haag academy, Krul signed for Newcastle in 2005 and made his senior debut a year later in the UEFA Cup. Loan spells with Falkirk and Carlisle United preceded regular Magpies appearances from 2010 until 2015. Krul made 185 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions and kept 53 clean sheets before leaving for Brighton. Krul has played across England and Europe throughout his career He first arrived on loan in August 2017 but completed a permanent move just weeks later to end his 12-year stay at St. James’ Park. After five appearances on the south coast Krul moved to Norwich, despite interest from Chelsea, and won two Championship titles. A switch to Luton followed in 2023 for their first ever Premier League campaign, where he featured six times in other competitions. Krul and Luton parted ways at the end of his contract in the summer. On the international stage, the goalkeeper earned 15 caps with the Netherlands, with one those marking a memorable World Cup clash. Krul was substituted on for his country during the latter stages of their 0-0 quarter-final draw against Costa Rica in 2014. Krul shone on the big stage for both club and countryGetty He saved two of the opposition’s five penalties in a shootout as the Netherlands reached the semi-finals with a 4-3 victory. A 2-2 friendly against Scotland in June 2021 was his last international match in Dutch colours.

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I was a Premier League and World Cup hero, now I’m set for new major role in the boardroom

Tim Krul is setting his sights on becoming a sporting director thanks to his diploma with the Professional Footballers’ Association [PFA].

The former Newcastle United, Norwich City and Netherlands goalkeeper is a free agent after leaving Luton Town in the summer.

Aged 37, he has entered the twilight stages of his career but already looked to the future away from the pitch with his studies.

Krul has graduated from the PFA Business School with a Diploma in Sports Directorship.

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones is among his fellow graduates as they eye a crucial role in transfers and recruitment.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT on Hawksbee and Baker, Krul was on hand to explain the course and his plans for the future.

“I started the journey two years ago through the PFA, there was the opportunity to start the educational sports directorship.

“So, I think it’s really important for players not just to focus on their football careers, but also look off the pitch. Especially transitioning for players like myself or coming towards the end of their career.”

“It was all official,” he added. “Every other two weeks on Zoom and then once a month, a full day in class.

“It’s all accredited by the Portsmouth University so yeah, we had to get back to basics.”

When asked about whether or not he has retired from football, Krul insisted he’s yet to make a decision as he explores a new adventure.

“I’ve kept the options open. I’ve continued training with Luton over the summer.

Krul is keen to take on a boardroom role after his playing career

“It’s the best job in the world, apart from you guys, obviously. It’s not closing this door.

“But one door closes, the other door opens, so it’s great to do this stuff on the side.

“You see a lot with players, where they just kind of wait until the end of their career with different opportunities.”

Krul’s career in professional football so far

Formerly of the ADO Den Haag academy, Krul signed for Newcastle in 2005 and made his senior debut a year later in the UEFA Cup.

Loan spells with Falkirk and Carlisle United preceded regular Magpies appearances from 2010 until 2015.

Krul made 185 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions and kept 53 clean sheets before leaving for Brighton.

Krul has played across England and Europe throughout his career

He first arrived on loan in August 2017 but completed a permanent move just weeks later to end his 12-year stay at St. James’ Park.

After five appearances on the south coast Krul moved to Norwich, despite interest from Chelsea, and won two Championship titles.

A switch to Luton followed in 2023 for their first ever Premier League campaign, where he featured six times in other competitions.

Krul and Luton parted ways at the end of his contract in the summer.

On the international stage, the goalkeeper earned 15 caps with the Netherlands, with one those marking a memorable World Cup clash.

Krul was substituted on for his country during the latter stages of their 0-0 quarter-final draw against Costa Rica in 2014.

Krul shone on the big stage for both club and country

He saved two of the opposition’s five penalties in a shootout as the Netherlands reached the semi-finals with a 4-3 victory.

A 2-2 friendly against Scotland in June 2021 was his last international match in Dutch colours.