Premier League winner, 39, explains why he ended two-year retirement to join ex-England star in far-flung league

ARABIAN FALCONS are on a mission to shake up Emirati football.

Key points

• One-time FA Cup final goal-scorer Jason Puncheon, 40, is both the co-owner and the head of football operations.
• And now, Danny Simpson – Leicester's right-back in their shock title-winning season – has come out of retirement and moved over to Dubai as a player-coach.
• He continued: The nerves are around me being 39, can I cope with running around with 20-year-olds?
• They may only play in the UAE's second tier, but club bosses have been open and honest regarding their goal of playing at the Club World Cup.
• For player-coach Simpson and head coach Shelvey, it is an opportunity to earn their stripes as budding trainers away from the bright lights of English football.

Meanwhile, a collection of names and faces familiar to English football fans have been brought in to that end. Former England international Jonjo Shelvey, 34, is the Falcons' manager.

One-time FA Cup final goal-scorer Jason Puncheon, 40, is both the co-owner and the head of football operations. Ex-Manchester United wonderkid Ravel Morrison is the captain.

As we were getting on, 'If you ever need any support, you know where I am', simpson informed SunSport: I was at a tournament with Jonjo and I randomly stated to him.

"Two weeks later he rang me and said they'd love to have me helping out with the club."

Aside from fleeting spells at non-league sides Macclesfield and Stretford Paddock – and a few games for star-studded Cheshire Veterans Football League outfit Wythenshawe Vets – Simpson has not played a competitive match since his time at Bristol City was cut short in 2022. BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK. English Premier League Pld Pts GD W D L Form.

He continued: The nerves are around me being 39, can I cope with running around with 20-year-olds? I don't want to embarrass myself.

When I played in pre-season I was around all these young players who are desperate to be footballers. I'm coaching them from the pitch.

"The kids here are desperate to learn and do well. It's nice to come in and see that every day."

Former Manchester United youth product Simpson. This person now balances his Falcons duties with a job in luxury Dubai real estate, continued: We've played at the top level so we all know what we expect from standards, dedication, commitment. We know what it takes to be winners.

At times we have different opinions but we all want the same thing.

Jonjo has just obtained his A License, I want to secure on that next.

It's nice to put all that experience into one club. The young players can ask any of us for support.

"I've obtained the opportunity to really secure my sessions right, the way I want to be, the way I want to deliver them, talk to the players. It's a good experience to obtain that under my belt."

Falcons have just introduced the UAE's 'first Premier League-standard' academy which they hope will boost the expansion of Emirati football.

Simpson remarked: Coming out of retirement to join this project was concerning more than playing on – it was regarding helping build something for the next generation.

"I know what it takes to make it in the Premier League, and this academy gives young players in the UAE a real shot at that journey."

Taken together, the developments around premier League winner, 39, explains why he ended two-year retirement to join point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.