Yohan Cabaye relishing chance to ‘play Football Manager in real life’

• Yohan Cabaye is now the assistant academy director of Paris Saint-Germain 
• The former midfielder says he has taken inspiration from playing a video game  
• LISTEN: Join us as we debate the BIGGEST talking points on It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY. Available wherever you get your podcasts

Yohan Cabaye is loving the path he has take after hanging up his boots as it gives him the chance to live out his favourite video game in real life.

The Frenchman retired in 2020, ending a career that saw him play for the likes of Newcastle, Crystal Palace and PSG as well as making 48 appearances for his country.

Cabaye now has a new job at one of the clubs he played for, becoming the assistant academy director of Paris Saint-Germain.

And he is taking inspiration from an unlikely source as he takes on his new role, that being the hugely popular video game Football Manager.

Cabaye exclusively told Ladbrokes 1-2-Free: ‘I’ve always loved Football Manager, but now I have the chance to play it in real life!

‘I have less time to play these days, with my new role as director of the academy at PSG.

‘I love helping to develop young players and bring them to the top and educating. I joke but it really is like Football Manager in real life.

‘The people working behind the scenes for that game have done such an amazing job over the years. You know, they’ve managed to create a game which is really close to reality.’

‘It’s unbelievable. What’s crazy is that the players’ qualities are so close to reality, too, in my opinion. That’s so impressive, how accurate they are.

‘I’m so curious; one day, I want to go into their offices, just to understand how they work, because it’s unbelievable.

‘And, you know, even if you’re a club now without the financial capabilities to go and send scouts all over Europe… just play this game, and you’ll have an understanding of some players!

‘Honestly, just take a look at the game and, most of the time, those statistics and attributes are close to reality.

‘It’s so funny, you know, there have been times where I’ve been playing the game, and I’ve come across players who I end up playing against in real life – it’s crazy.’

The latest edition of the game has seen a maximum of almost 90,000 concurrent players since its release and Cabaye knows it is a game loved by other players.

He added: ‘Trust me, a lot of footballers play the game. Antoine Griezmann, obviously, is one.

‘But I used to play with Gael Clichy, as well. In Euro 2012, we played together; we started a season while we were away with France!

‘I used to joke with my team-mates, because I’d always manage the team I was playing for in real life at the time, and so I’d always joke with my team-mates about how well – or not so well – they were doing for me in my game.

‘I wasn’t bias towards myself, either, by the way. I’d sub myself if I needed to… whatever was best for my team! It’s a tough call but you’ve got to make them!

‘I know Will Still is someone who has referenced the game in the past, and I also know someone who I used to play with at Lille – he used to coach in the second division in France, and he was also playing the game a lot, as well!’