35-year-old ex-Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough man back at Ewood Park with new job targeted

Rudy Gestede retired from professional back in 2022, boasting a career in which he featured for the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City, Aston Villa and a number of clubs overseas.

The Rovers stint was the most fruitful, notching 35 goals and 10 assists in 72 games before moving to Villa Park for a reported £6m.

After hanging up the boots two years ago though, Gestede has switched his focus to an eye-catching new role, and he’s back at Ewood Park in a bid to help him get there.

Writing on his Patreon, reporter Alan Nixon has said that the 35-year-old is working towards becoming a director of football in his post-playing career. He’s in the process of earning a degree and on a placement, he’s ‘shadowing’ executives at Blackburn Rovers.

It is added he could be qualified shortly as he embarks on this new journey.

Gestede’s post-EFL career

After nine years on English shores with Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Cardiff City, Gestede rounded out his playing days by travelling far and wide in search of action.

A few months after departing Boro in 2020, Gestede would head to Australia with Melbourne Victory. The former Benin international managed five goals and two assists in 18 games before heading over to Greece with Panetolikos.

His time there was brief though, notching one goal in only three games. He would head to Iran to join Esteghlal FC a matter of months after his Greek switch.

A return of three goals and three assists in 25 games rounded out his career before retirement.

A new chapter

Plenty of footballers stay in the game after hanging up the boots and it looks as though that’s what Gestede is keen to do having begun his journey into becoming a director of football.

Many transition into roles in the dugout or media, so it’s an eye-catching move from Gestede in a bid to get involved in roles higher up the club hierarchy.

Having spent much of his playing career on these shores, perhaps Gestede will get a shot as a director here too.

For now though, the former Blackburn Rovers man will be focused on securing the qualifications required on this exciting journey he has begun.

FOR MORE NEWS CLICK HERE