Jon Wilkin explains why he would never coach

Jon Wilkin is one of the best pundits in the game at present and always has a big opinion.

This of course attracts controversy and criticism especially when he is critical of a coach or a team’s performance as many will say, if you know so much why don’t you coach?

A brilliant pundit, up for an award, Wilkin has explained on Talksport why he has never taken to coaching.

He said: “You’ve got to be obsessed with the game to be a coach, it consumed your life completely. When you’re a player it’s such a precarious situation, your contract is up at this stage, you might be injured, for a family and people around you that can be quite stressful. I didn’t find it stressful but it is for your wife and people around you.

“I thought why would you go from a situation in life where there’s that much at stake every couple of years, where it’s really stressful and your jobs on the line.

“I’ve got a business that’s doing great, I don’t need to do it. I just don’t need to do it. I could do it, I’m not saying that out of arrogance, but I could coach. I know I could but I don’t want to.”

This came as he said he mentally retired “five or six years” before he did.

Meanwhile, Wilkin explained his passion for his business outside of rugby league: his coffee shops and bakery.

“Food and drink is my passion and I’m blessed that I can do that as a job. I always pursued interests outside of rugby league, I’m not stupid. This was a hobby that ended up paying me, I’m very thankful for it but I always knew this wasn’t the be-all and end-all.

“I ended at 35, you’ve got the best part of 60 odd years maybe to fill your life. It’s sad if I’m sat here with you two in 55 years or whatever still talking about my rugby career.”