- By Ciaran Varley
- ` Sport
1 hour ago
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Mark Clattenburg has joined the new Gladiators reboot as a referee
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg will keep the Gladiators at bay in a new ` reboot.
The original series Gladiators ran on British television from 1992 to 2000 and will return to our screens on Saturday January 13th.
Clattenburg, who took charge of the 2016 FA Cup, Champions League and European Championship finals, said taking on the job was “one of the most amazing things I will do in my life”.
“John Anderson, the original referee, was so legendary,” said the 48-year-old. “It's a great honor.”
Clattenburg will manage British sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, among others.
Of course, Clattenburg is not the first major athlete to make a surprising career change after retirement. From professional wrestling to a career as a detective, here are a few more examples.
Grant Holt – Wrestler
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Grant Holt transitioned from physical striker to professional wrestling
As a footballer, Grant Holt helped Norwich City to a Premier League place in 2011 after two consecutive promotions and also played in the top flight for Aston Villa.
Manny Pacquaio – politician
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Manny Pacquiao unsuccessfully ran for the presidency of the Philippines in 2022
Manny Pacquiao is one of the best boxers of all time, winning world titles in eight different weight classes. In 2021, he hung up his gloves to channel his energy into the arguably more brutal arena of politics.
Pacquiao has already served as a senator in the Philippine parliament and is running for president in 2021.
Carly Patterson – singer, songwriter
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Carly Patterson's gymnastics career was short but successful
She was only 16 years old at the time, but after just two years she retired because of a bulging disc.
After quitting gymnastics, Patterson pursued a career in music and released her debut album in 2009. That same year she was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Hakan Sukur – Uber driver in exile
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Hakan Sukurs' life has changed fundamentally after a dispute with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Former Blackburn and Galatasaray striker Hakan Sukur is the all-time top scorer in the Super Lig – Turkey's top flight.
Between 1992 and 2007, he scored 51 goals in 112 appearances for his country and was part of the Turkish team that finished third at the 2002 World Cup.
However, Sukur now lives in exile in the United States following a dispute with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who accused the former footballer of being part of a bloody coup attempt in 2016. Sukur denies this.
In 2018, he spoke to The New York Times about working at a bakery and driving for Uber after his homes, businesses and bank accounts in Turkey were seized by Erdogan's government.
Sergio Aguero – Content Creator
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Sergio Aguero has made a thoroughly modern career change
Sergio Aguero's football career ended abruptly in 2021 when he was forced to retire due to heart problems. The former Manchester City and Barcelona striker enjoyed an illustrious career with 427 goals in 786 games and a wealth of awards including five Premier League trophies and a Copa America.
While playing soccer, he built a massive 4.8 million followers on his Twitch channel, and shortly after retiring from soccer, Disney+ offered him a contract as a content creator.
Arjan de Zeeuw – detective
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Arjan de de Zeeuw moved from fighting forward to fighting crime
Fans of Barnsley, Wigan, Portsmouth and Coventry will remember Arjan de Zeeuw as a tough Dutch centre-back.
He played 146 Premier League games before ending his career in 2009 and returning to the Netherlands. There he began a second career as a detective specializing in forensics.
“I like the idea of justice and trying to make the world a better place for everyone,” he said, while revealing that he has become more confident with a gun.
Margaret Court – Minister
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Margaret Court's views have brought her into conflict with others in the tennis community
Margaret Court won 64 Grand Slam titles throughout her tennis career – 24 in singles and 40 in doubles – making her one of the sport's most decorated players.
Jody Craddock – artist
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Jody Craddock has managed to turn his passion for painting into a second career
When former Wolves skipper Jody Craddock retired from professional football in 2013, aged 37, he saw a clear career path ahead of him.
“I could play football and paint. That’s all I can do,” he said.
While many of his contemporaries turned to scholarship, the central defender decided to turn his passion for art into a career. The portrait commissions he received include David Beckham and John Terry.
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