EXCLUSIVE
‘Future is bright’ – England legend hints at new job and delivers ‘shock’ Man City manager sacking verdict
England and Manchester City legend Steph Houghton has called a bright future for herself and her former club.
The former centre-back retired last year after playing her last game for Man City in May in a 2-1 away win at Aston Villa.
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Speaking exclusively on talkSPORT's The Kickback, Houghton spoke about her future, having spent the last year working as a pundit for BBC Sport and Man City.
She said: "It's been really good. I've had some amazing opportunities and I've been fortunate as I threw myself into my punditry work, I'm an ambassador at Man City and I'm doing my coaching badges so it's certainly been busy."
On her coaching badges, she explained: "It's massively different, I don't think when you play you know what it's like. You just want to get involved and you have a moan if something isn't right, but now you go through that coaching side it's so different and there's so much preparation.
"You have to think about so many things. It's been hard and it's been interesting. I think for female footballers that have retired it's so important that we put something back into the game that we've grown for so long.
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"I'm ready to give something back to the next generation."
Houghton also gave her verdict on Man City sacking manager Gareth Taylor on Monday, just five days before they face Chelsea in the Women's League Cup final.
Taylor, 52, led City to two major honours but the club felt that his achievements were not enough after the side missed out on the title last season on goal difference alone.
Houghton - the former captain at the club - revealed it was a 'shock' decision.
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"It was a shock of course. Especially with the next couple of weeks coming up for the girls, with a League Cup final, Champions League, a big league game.
"The club is trying to get Champions League football and to be honest we haven't won enough trophies over the last four, five years. I was a big part of that and I feel as though in my last few years we should have won a trophy at least every season.
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"Last season we were so close to winning the league title and for a club like Man City to not be winning those trophies and bringing them back to Manchester is not a reflection of the squad.
"I think with Nick Cushing coming in, he's my old manager, he's definitely been the best coach I've ever been coached by.
"The club's in great hands, it's going to be tough to do that in two-and-a-half months or maybe four-five days leading up to a final, but if anyone can bring success to a club and to get everybody back happy... I really do believe Nick's the guy" Houghton said.
On her future as she continues in retirement, Houghton said: "For me it's always about trying to find that avenue where I could feel a little bit like I did when I played football and I'm still to find that yet.
"I really love my punditry work... but I don't think there's anything better than being on the grass and being around the team environment, so I feel as if I've got a lot to give and I'm trying to learn as much as I can to take on a leadership role in the future.
"Everything is exciting, I'm looking forward to being a part of Soccer Aid. Let's see what the future holds but it's definitely an exciting time" she said.
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Houghton will have the chance to don an England shirt once more however, as she will play at Soccer Aid this year at Old Trafford.
Playing for an England side that will be coached by her 'hero' Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury, she admitted it was
Houghton won three WSL titles during her playing career, two with Arsenal and one with Man City. She also won two FA Cups with the Gunners and a further three with Man City.