Chris Smalling: Why I Left Manchester United for AS Roma

A plant-based athlete and investor, Chris Smalling is dedicated to creating a more sustainable future for the planet. Chris currently plays for Serie A giants AS Roma, moving to Italy in 2020 from Manchester United, having played over 200 games for the club, and winning 31 caps for England in the process. Chris set up ForGood in 2020 to play a key role in accelerating the ecosystem that actively invests and champions the next generation of responsible businesses, with the ambition to drive a movement of doing things for good. Chris is also a Patron of Football Beyond Borders, a UK-based nonprofit that uses the power of football to change the lives of young people, and has recently co-founded athlete-led venture vehicle, The Players Fund. In today’s episode, we discuss:

His pathway to football:

How finishing school and a prospective place at university gave Chris a decision to make when it came to turning professional.

How can the industry provide more opportunities for academy players to finish their education and still play top level football?

What did having options do for Chris’ mindset when it came to handling pressure and potential failure in football?

How does Chris use his experience in dressing rooms and high-performance environments to benefit his business ventures?

The key influences in Chris’ career:

From agents to family to financial advisors; the key team who support players and the importance of getting the right people around you.

What it was like to have Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger trying to sign Chris and what influenced his decision to join Manchester United.

Playing with your idols and the nerves of walking into a dressing room with Ferdinand, Vidic, Giggs, and Scholes.

The challenges with balancing family and intensive travel commitments, and the speed at which your life can be uprooted to another city or country.

How being welcomed to Roma and a love of the city and people made the transition so enjoyable.

Business and Sport:

What does Chris do away from the pitch and what are the motivations behind his business ambitions?

Are business opportunities available to all athletes or do you have to go out and find them?

The Players Fund: a joint venture between Chris and a number of other sports stars, what is the purpose of creating a vehicle driven by athletes?

Whose responsibility is it to provide an environment where footballers in particular feel prepared and able to get into business and trust the environment?

A life after football: what to do when your identity is wrapped up in your profession and how to put a plan in place for the ‘next step’.