Aaron Hughes admits he could be tempted into some form of coaching role with Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland - but only if time allows it.
The former international captain is still adjusting to his new position as technical director with the Irish FA.
The all-encompassing job will see him work with Northern Ireland's senior teams alongside grassroots, small-sided games and "everything in between".
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Hughes - who played under returning boss O'Neill - admits his desire for coaching still burns brightly after previously helping out with the Under 19 women's team.
Asked if a role with the senior men's squad appealed to him, Hughes said: “At this stage I don’t know and I haven’t had that conversation with Michael yet.
“My new role will naturally take me into things that involve the senior teams. I will work closely with them.
“Coaching in general, I still have a little fire there and I enjoyed my time with the Under-19 girls recently.
“The fire is still there and I never wanted to close that door, but my priority is everything else.
“If my new job naturally allows me to do it then great. If there is a little bit of time, great, and if I can be involved in sessions or in the background helping teams, then great.
“But this role takes precedence, although it is fluid. Sometimes I will have time and sometimes maybe not."
Hughes won 119 caps during a glittering international career that spanned almost 22 years.
It was O'Neill who coaxed the former Newcastle United defender out of international retirement in 2011, with Hughes going on to play at the Euro finals five years later before retiring in 2019 at the age of 39.
Hughes credits O'Neill for prolonging his Northern Ireland career, and revealed he was part of an Irish FA panel who discussed the 53-year-old's return as manager.
“I was consulted about it and we had conversations about my thoughts. Obviously I was very positive about Michael, naturally," Hughes said.
“I had that input and I will be working with him for the next five and a half years - the length of his contract - and whatever happens after that. I think in my role, it was natural to consult me on the decision.
“I was able to relay all of the things he did, which I’ve said here.
Reflecting on the 2016 Euros, Hughes said: "It is the legacy it leaves. It isn't just the three or four weeks of the tournament.
"For the players it is the whole build-up for six weeks before, and then after it you're on a high for the next two months then there is a huge comedown.
"And the bits we probably didn't see revolved around what it meant to the fans and the country."
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