Jonjo Shelvey has transitioned from a player to a manager and has already vowed to get the best out of a former Manchester United wonderkid he has labelled ‘dopey’.
Shelvey announced his retirement as a player at Arabian Falcons on Wednesday, to become their manager instead.
The 34-year-old signed for the Dubai-based Arabian Falcons in September last year from Burnley and made eight appearances for the club during the 2025-26 season.
However, he will now be looking to guide them out of the United Arab Emirates’ third tier – with the help of Ravel Morrison.
Morrison joined Arabian Falcons a month after Shelvey, with the pair forming a midfield partnership at times.
Now Shelvey is keen to see Morrison flourish under his management style, praising the 33-year-old’s personality.
Jonjo Shelvey (right) has vowed to get the best out of ex-Man United starlet Ravel Morrison at Dubai-based Arabian Falcons after retiring as a player at the club to become their manager
Morrison began his career at United but failed to live up to his billing at Old Trafford
‘Rav having respect for me as a player definitely helps in terms of what I ask of him,’ Shelvey told The Sun.
‘It’s good having him there because the lads love him. He’s a funny character. I’m going to say it, he is a bit dopey – in a good way.
‘He is a breath of fresh air and a great character to have around the training ground.
‘I had done my homework on how to get the best out of him when I knew I would be going into the job.
‘I looked back at his career, where he had the most success and who he had worked under and realised what those managers were like.
‘They got to understand Rav very quickly. I think if you understand Rav and the way he is, that is how you will get the best out of him. Me being in the dressing room with him every day as a player has helped me do that very quickly.’
Shelvey will be looking to succeed where the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson have failed before in coaxing the talent out of Morrison while coming through the ranks at Manchester United.
Ferguson even called him ‘the best kid you will ever see’, and described selling him to West Ham in 2012 as the ‘saddest case’ in his managerial career.
As well as Shelvey and Morrison, there is another Premier League link to Arabian Falcons with former Crystal Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon the club’s co-owner and head of football operations.
A documentary will follow Shelvey trying to lead Arabian Falcons to promotion in the final five games of the season.
Ex-Crystal Palace star Jason Puncheon (centre right) is the Dubai club’s co-owner and head of football operations
On taking the job he said: ‘My ambition is to climb to the very top of management and this is the perfect project to prove myself and what I’m capable of.’
Shelvey started his playing career at Charlton Athletic and played in the top flight for Liverpool, Swansea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.
He also featured for Blackpool, on loan, Turkish sides Caykur Rizespor and Eyupspor and briefly Burnley before moving to the UAE.
Shelvey won six caps for England, in 2012 and 2016 – all under Roy Hodgson.
