Talk about a career change.
Former Manchester United footballer and Northern Ireland international Philip Mulryne has been ordained a deacon of the Catholic Church this weekend.
Mulryne began studying for priesthood in 2009, and will be ordained a priest next year, according to the Irish Times.
He is not the first ex-footballer to turn to religion after hanging up his boots. Former Chelsea midfielder Gavin Peacock trained as a Christian minister in Canada, while Carlos Roa – the Argentinian goalkeeper who was the scourge of England at the 1998 World Cup – quit the game before his 30th birthday after foreseeing the end of the world while on a religious retreat.
Where are they now? Former Norwich City midfielder Phil Mulryne retrained to become a Catholic priest #ncfc pic.twitter.com/pHiI7Y8aos
— Richard Balls (@RichardBalls) December 8, 2015
The 38-year-old made just the one appearance for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson — something which clearly sparked his aversion to “devils”. He then made a move to Norwich City. Before retiring from football in 2008, Mulryne played for a number of clubs, including Leyton Orient and Cardiff City.
He also made 27 appearances for Northern Ireland between 1997 and 2007.
But now he’s hung up his boots and swapped them for a white collar, after being ordained at a Mass in St Saviour’s Church on Dominick Street in Dublin.
After Man United’s god-awful results of late, Jose Mourinho will be hoping that Mulryne includes his side in a prayer or two.
Catch up with the latest episode of Football Friday Live
