Transitioning from a professional football career to everyday life can be a daunting challenge, and for former Liverpool star Jason McAteer, it became a battle with his own mind.
After years of playing at the highest level, representing clubs like Bolton, Blackburn, Sunderland, and Tranmere, McAteer found himself struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts following his retirement in 2007.
The Emotional Toll of Retirement
Without the structure and adrenaline that football provided, McAteer felt lost.
His work as a pundit was sporadic, leaving long gaps of time where he had little to do.
During a deeply emotional conversation on beIN Sports’ Tales, Tears, and Trophies podcast with Mikael Silvestre, he broke down in tears while recalling one of his darkest moments—one that nearly cost him his life.
A Moment of Despair
McAteer shared a heartbreaking memory of driving through the tunnel between the Wirral and Liverpool, on his way to pick up his son, Harry.
Overwhelmed by hopelessness, he considered crashing his car to end his pain.
“I was fighting myself—’Do it, do it.’ And then, ‘No, no.’ I was gripping the steering wheel, torn between giving in and holding on,” he recalled, visibly emotional.
As he emerged from the tunnel and saw daylight again, relief washed over him.
He continued his journey, picked up his son, and later went to his mother’s house, where he admitted, “I can’t do this anymore.”
The Struggle to Move Forward
McAteer confessed that he deeply misses everything about playing—running onto the pitch, feeling free, and escaping from life’s problems for 90 minutes.
Football had provided him with purpose, and without it, he felt empty.
He acknowledged that adjusting to life post-retirement was incredibly difficult, highlighting the need for greater support for former players.
Calling for Change in Football
The ex-Republic of Ireland international believes football organizations must do more to help players transition after retirement.
While progress has been made in breaking down mental health stigmas, he argues that the emotional void left by leaving the game is still not fully understood or properly addressed.
“Football’s evolution isn’t just about the game itself—it’s about the mental side too.
There needs to be more support for players after they step away from the pitch,” McAteer emphasized.