Jozo Simunovic’s surprising route to potential retirement before the age of 30 following Celtic exit

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Jozo Simunovic had his fair share of injury issues during five years at Celtic, but not many would have predicted he’d be effectively retired as a player before 30.

That appears to be the situation he is in now, having not played a game of football for close to two years.

Simunovic signalled he was considering retirement last year, but said he would make a final decision during the summer months about whether or not his boots were hung up for good.

Given that he has not signed for anyone since, the chances of him making a comeback look over.

What Jozo Simunovic is doing now after Celtic exit

The hard-hitting Croatian defender will stay within the football industry, regardless, but in a drastically different role.

Speaking to The Scottish Sun in April 2023, he said: “Life is good. I have a one-year old baby now and I am very busy! Come the summer I will decide whether to start playing football again or not. We will see how it goes.

“Right now, I have a lot to be busy with. I’m at university and also doing my badges. I am studying sports management. I have been doing that for the last two years and I enjoy it. It’s going OK and I am combining that with my coaching qualifications.

“If I don’t go back to playing, I will stay in football — it’s really all I think about. That could be coaching, agency work or sports management. Let’s see what happens.”

Simunovic posted a rather cryptic update on Instagram back in October, signalling he was still doing gym work, but there’s been no sign of him finding a club to get back on the pitch.

The 29-year-old played 126 games for Celtic and was popular with supporters despite knee issues limiting his full potential at the club.

Alongside being a member of the 2016/17 Celtic Invincibles squad, Simunovic won 11 trophies in total with the Bhoys.

He also produced one of the greatest tackles ever witnessed with a thumping challenge on Kenny Miller in a derby at Ibrox.

After leaving Celtic in 2020, he joined HNK Gorgic in his homeland but made just eight appearances before embarking on the route that could lead to an early exit from playing.