Rejected by top clubs, Fabrice Muamba is now at Rochdale chasing a new dream six years on from heart attack
The ex-Bolton midfielder was forced to retire in 2012 after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch. Now, he's returned to football to coach The Dale's Under 16 team
IT's been six years since Fabrice Muamba suffered a near fatal cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane playing for Bolton against Tottenham.
But having been forced to retire from the game at the age of just 24, the former Arsenal star has well and truly moved on with his life.
During that period, he's completed a degree in Journalism and is two weeks from graduating with a Business Management diploma, while juggling duties as a pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live.
There was even a stint on a Christmas edition of Strictly Come Dancing that came just nine months after he came perilously close to death.
Today, the ambitious Muamba, also a Delegate Liaison Executive at the PFA, has a new dream.
Currently working on his coaching badges, the 30-year-old ex England Under-21 international has landed a job at Rochdale - orchestrating training sessions with their Under 16s with the help of Development Centre Academy Manager Brett Issitt, who in turn aid Academy Manager Tony Ellis.
SunSport joined Muamba and Issitt at Ewen Fields, the home of Hyde United F.C., where Rochdale's youth teams are put through their paces.
Muamba began by telling us why he wanted to get into coaching, albeit with some reservations.
"As an ex player I feel I can still bring something to the game," he said.
"I've always loved coaching... did I feel like I would go into it? Yes and no. But you start looking at your life and how you want things to turn out.
"At first, I was scared if I had the knowledge to pass on to young players and doubted myself.
"But as time goes on... I have a son and I watch him play. Some of the things I heard on the touchline I didn't always agree with.
"And, as an ex player, you have this burning desire to share your knowledge.
"I'm still young and I feel I've still got something to offer. I wanted to come back to football, do it the proper way and make sure I learn the hard way and appreciate it.
"I was doing my Youth Award and I needed somewhere where I could coach every day," Muamba explained.
"Anybody in the game will tell you that you need as much time on the grass as you can get.
"But it was difficult to get into clubs. I spoke with Steve Lomas, who kindly put me in touch with Brett who opened the door for me.
"I've been coming in twice a week since July and have been given the freedom to go out there, learn from my mistakes, as well as learn how to plan a session.
"And I've been able to learn from Brett too, because he's got over 20 years experience in the game.
"I obviously want to end up at the top of the tree at some point, but you have to be realistic.
"Every time I sent a job application to one of the top clubs, I was told I didn't have enough experience in coaching."
Muamba's work ethic is to behold since he hung up his boots on doctor's orders.
"I think in society, you've got to keep improving and studying, otherwise you'll be left behind," he said.
"There are so many people that play football that might not have the ability to make it at the top level, but they do have a football brain.
"If you have that in your locker, you can certainly be a benefit to yourself and any club.
"I don't have anything to prove. I lived my dream. For me, it's about having something I enjoy doing and getting up in the morning for, making sure I plan my session and get into a routine and improve the players."
One person keen to see Muamba return to football was his wife, Shauna.
"She was like, 'When are you going to go back to doing this every day?' he laughed.
"I just wanted to do it in my own time and didn't want to put a time frame on it. If I or my body didn't feel comfortable, I wouldn't do it.
"I don't see that there's a pressure in doing this. It's about going out there, sharing my experiences with the young players and seeing them grow into better players.
During his playing days, Muamba played for managers including Arsene Wenger, Steve Bruce and Owen Coyle.
While he admitted it would be impossible not to be influenced in some way by those big names, he's keen to stamp his own authority on proceedings.
At the end of the day, as a coach, you have to be your own man," Muamba divulged.
"I enjoyed playing under certain individuals, but when it comes to coaching your own team it has to be your own idea that's mirrored by the identity of the coaching staff.
"In terms of my philosophy, I'd like a team to be aggressive and they should have the will to get on the ball and play forward.
"That can mean different ways, even long. But I think you need to get the ball into the box as quickly as possible and make it difficult for the opposition."
In terms of actual coaching, Muamba confessed he is limited when it comes to running and movement.
"I'm very aware of how much I can put in," he revealed.
"I don't get involved in 5-a-side games, but I do a lot of passing drills. But I know that if I'm not physically ready, I wouldn't do it.
"I'm standing and I look good, right? I feel ok. I eat healthily, I train on a cross trainer two or three times a week. But nothing too strenuous.
"When I come here, I don't do much physically. But I try to offer as much as I can.
"I have constant conversations with my specialist, who asks me what I'm doing so we can talk about moving forward.
"I feel fortunate enough to be able to get up and do anything in life, that's a blessing in disguise.
"There's a lot more people that are in a worse case scenario than me. I know my accident was obviously well highlighted, but I feel lucky to get up every morning, come to a training session and enjoy living life like a normal person."
The debate about black managers in the game at the top level has continued to rage on.
This week, Viv Anderson, England's first ever black international, echoed the feeling that the FA aren't doing enough in helping ethnic managers secure top jobs.
Is that a concern for Muamba? "To an extent I agree, yes.
"It is one of those things, I think, we're constantly fighting. How this is going to change, I don't know.
"But, on my part, I need to be the best I possibly can, be prepared and when the opportunity comes I need to take it.
"You need to create that opportunity, and in order to get that you have to be ready.
"Coming to Rochdale has helped me prepare. So when the opportunity comes, I will be able to give myself the best possible chance."
Issitt, 43, has been impressed with his sidekick's application so far.
"He's settled in extremely well. He is very calm, collected and he brings something different that other people can't," he said.
"He has the experience of his playing days, but he's so relaxed as a coach and the boys look up to him in the right way.
"And he's constantly wanting to learn, he talks to me all the time on the phone and we'll speak in the evenings about football.
"He's been an absolute pleasure to work with. Having watched him work the first couple of weeks, you can see why he's at the level he is already.
"His technical detail and the ability to get his message across is superb. You can also see that he played at the top level."
The enigmatic Salford-born coach, who also had a stint at Manchester City, believes Muamba has improved the professionalism of Rochdale's youngsters.
"He's helped in improving their attitude - the want, the need and the belief that they could become something.
"Fabrice's background is one of failure to start. He didn't make it at the beginning, and that's what we try and promote here.
"It's an opportunity for boys to keep going, so if they were knocked back at 16 we want to give them a second chance and show them a pathway that's available."
As for Muamba, how far does Issitt see his student progressing in the world of coaching?