Rio Ferdinand says he has ambitions to become the manager of Manchester United in the future.
Ferdinand, 35, spent 12 years at United, where he won six Premier League titles and the Champions League, before departing for Queens Park Rangers in the summer.
The former England international is currently doing his coaching badges and one day wants to return to Old Trafford to take charge of the team.
"I am not going to look that far ahead. I am taking all my coaching badges and everything I need to do and then we shall see what opportunities arise," he told Manchester Evening News.
"I am not stupid enough to think that I will pass all my badges and then Manchester United will come asking me to become their manager. But I want to be the best in whatever field I go into and that means managing a big club like United or your country. Every player and manager will tell you that when you are growing up you want to play for the best team and it is the same in management.
"I am not thinking that far ahead yet. I don't have those dreams at the moment. I am still thinking of finishing this season at QPR and going from there. I want to pass my badges first and then once you pass those I can start dreaming and having ideas about where I want to be."
Ferdinand was part of the United side that struggled under David Moyes last season and eventually finished seventh.
Louis van Gaal has since taken over at the club and the defender is backing the Dutchman to return United to their former glories.
"United are meant to be struggling and having a terrible season yet they are fourth in the league. If they hit a bit of form and consistency then they are going to be up there," he said.
"I don't see it being a problem getting into the Champions League spots. I think they will comfortably get into the top four and then it is a case of building back from there.
"Louis van Gaal wants to play in a different way to how the club have played in the past. He has his philosophy and he believes and trusts in that 100 percent. He is fully committed to that. The players will go along with him and do that. They have bought into it.
"But sometimes things take time. United had a way of playing and it has been ingrained in the place for years and to change that doesn't happen overnight. But he believes solely in what he is doing and the club are backing him in that and are going to go with him.
"To think he would come in and change things and everything would be hunky dory overnight was a bit far-fetched. But in time I think he will get it right. His history suggests he will and I don't see any reason why that would change."