Former Liverpool star El Hadji Diouf joins politics, could run for Senegal presidency

Diouf wants to follow in the footsteps of former AC Milan star George Weah (Photo credit: Twitter)

Former Liverpool star El Hadji Diouf is ready to turn to politics after hanging up his boots with an eye on becoming the president of Senegal.

The controversial forward, who also featured for Sunderland, Blackburn, Bolton and Leeds, was once described as a "sewer rat" by Cardiff manager Neil Warnock.

But now the 36-year-old wants to follow in the footsteps of former AC Milan star George Weah, who was appointed the president of Liberia this year.

"I am looking after myself and my family," Diouf is quoted as saying by Four Four Two having last played in 2015 for Sabah FA in 2015. "For many years I used to think about football but I have a new career and it is a political career.

"I have taken the decision to do politics because I have people waiting for me to change things in my country and I'm ready to do that because I want to be the soldier of the youngsters.

"My future is defined. In the next two years, I'll be joining politics, because I know from that point I can change a lot in football.

"I have a lot of passion for politics, and I have people in Senegal who are mentoring me. That is the future for me, because a lot of Senegalese people are able to listen to me.

"I took high-level coaching courses, but decided not to continue since I have better plans for things I want to do."

Mirror