Declan Rice reveals he would have worked in football even if he hadn't turned professional - as England star pens foreword to new children's book featuring advice from Alessia Russo and Eberechi Eze

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Declan Rice has revealed even if he failed to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer, he’d have continue to pursue a career in the sport.

The England midfielder is gearing up for the start Euro 2024 where he will play a lead role for Gareth Southgate’s side.

And Rice has written about his determination to break into the football industry in a new book entitled 50 Ways Into Football from former FA editor Dan Freedman and sports lawyer Daniel Geey.

The Arsenal star has penned the foreword for the book and wrote: ‘Ever since I was young, I have dreamt of becoming a professional footballer. Fortunately for me, that dream became a reality. 

'However, given my love of the game, I know that if I hadn’t made it as a football player, as so many people don’t, I still would have wanted to have a job in football.

Declan Rice has spoken of his passion for football as more than just a professional in the foreword to a new book

The children's book aims to help fans understand how they break into the industry as a whole

Rice's England team-mate Eberechi Eze is another who has leant their words of wisdom

‘Being a professional footballer, I get to work with a lot of people who have different roles within the game and most of these jobs I wouldn’t have known about if I wasn’t in the football world.

‘Whether it’s coaching or analytics or marketing, the variety of jobs in the world of football is bigger than you think, so no matter what you’re good at there will be something for you!

‘Whatever path you decide to take, if you work hard, believe in yourself and don’t give up then you will be successful.’

The book also features contributions from some of Rice’s England colleague Eberechi Eze, Alan Shearer, Alessia Russo, Ella Toone and Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber.

Lioness Ella Toone has also added thoughts to the project, which aims to inspire youngsters

Freedman and Geey added: ‘The reaction to the book has been phenomenal. Every professional we mentioned the project to immediately wanted to be involved. So many of us were told the same thing when we were younger: ‘forget about football and concentrate on getting a proper job.’

‘We think it’s time to turn that on its head and say to the next generation, if football is what you love and are passionate about, let’s use that energy and find the right job for you in the industry.’