Forgotten one-cap England international became Inter Miami coach but missed working with Messi to join Championship side
A FORMER England international missed out on working with Lionel Messi after returning to the Championship.
The one-cap Three Lions star had been coaching Inter Miami II after hanging up his boots in 2022.
However, he had left the club by the time Messi headed stateside this summer.
The World Cup winner has scored 11 goals in 14 appearances for Miami since, claiming the golden boot as his side lifted the Leagues Cup.
He could have worked with a Manchester United academy graduate had he made the move a year earlier, though.
The ex-England defender in question is Stoke legend Ryan Shawcross.
His one and only senior international cap came in a friendly defeat to Sweden in November 2012.
Despite failing to return to the England fold, Shawcross went on to make over 300 Premier League appearances for Stoke.
He retired aged 34 at the start of 2022 following 11 months with Miami.
Shawcross remained in Florida, working as an assistant manager for the club’s reserve side as he launched his coaching career.
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Come Messi’s arrival, though, he had already returned to England after leaving the MLS club at the end of last year.
He is now back with Stoke, serving as assistant manager for the Potters’ under-18 side.
During his playing days with the Championship outfit, Shawcross made 453 appearances.
The defender was also the club’s captain for 11 years as well as winning promotion to the Premier League and appearing in their 2011/12 Europa League campaign.