I was a Premier League star and Phil Neville's assistant manager – now I'm targeting new job

Former Premier League defender Ridgewell, who was assistant to Phil Neville at Portland Timbers, is seeking a managerial role after four and a half years coaching in MLS.

Ridgewell, 42, has ended his spell at Portland Timbers and is targeting a management position in England. The ex-Aston Villa, Birmingham and West Brom defender made over 250 Premier League appearances before moving into coaching, initially at Dover Athletic before joining Portland's staff where he worked alongside Phil Neville.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Ridgewell outlined his ambitions: "I left Portland. I wanted more of a lead role. Now obviously that lead role is to manage. That's my ultimate goal." He credited his time in MLS as valuable learning, noting the need to adapt to different conditions and circumstances.

Ridgewell highlighted Roy Hodgson and Steve Bruce as the managers who most shaped his coaching philosophy—Hodgson for his position-specific detail and individual player management, Bruce for his man-management skills. He also praised Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler as a modern example of the calm, detail-focused approach he wants to emulate as a manager.