Ugo wants to be a boss

Rangers defender Ugo Ehiogu has revealed he wants to become a manager when his body tells him to stop playing.

The veteran former England centre-back has played under Ron Atkinson, Brian Little and John Gregory at Aston Villa, and Bryan Robson, Terry Venables and Steve McClaren at Middlesbrough.

Ehiogu has also benefited from almost five months spent working with Walter Smith at Rangers, and after seeing the way such big names operate, he believes he can do the job.

“I’ve always wanted to coach at some point,” said Ehiogu.

“I’m not sure when I’m going to do it, but it’ll be nice to try to give something back because I feel I have gained an experience and that I can help other people out.”

He has already enrolled in a coaching course, which he will take alongside Nacho Novo starting on June 22.

“As you get experience you’re obviously going to want to take control as high as you can, so if I get the chance to become a manager then that’s great,” Ehiogu told www.rangers.co.uk.

“I’m going to want to do some coaching roles first, so hopefully that will give me the hunger to take it further.

“I’ve been lucky to have played under quite a few big managers, big personalities.”

The 34-year-old is not letting thoughts about management get in the way of his priority, which remains securing trophies with Rangers.

He was a League Cup winner with both Villa and Middlesbrough, but a Clydesdale Bank Premier League medal would top those achievements.

“I certainly didn’t come to finish second,” said Ehiogu.

“Hopefully we can improve on what he did this season and give Celtic a proper run for their money.”

Towards the end of next season, Ehiogu will consider whether to retire after his first full season in Scotland.

“I’d have to look at my body,” he said. “If I’m not picking up too many injuries and I’m available and fit for three-quarters of the games then I’d look to carry on.”