Timm Klose has opened up on life after football as he considers his next step in the game following his abrupt exit from Bristol City in the New Year.
The defender, 34, called time on his playing career following his departure at the Robins in January after his contract was mutually terminated, with manager Nigel Pearson claiming he had lost his drive. His final game for City came in the 3-1 defeat against Lincoln City in November.
Klose enjoyed a 16-year career in the game that took him from his hometown club Basel to Germany with Nurnberg and Wolfsburg before joining Norwich and eventually Bristol City. In his final season in BS3, Klose was helping coach the club's Under-14 side having started preparations for life after football.
For a majority of players, the transition from playing to accepting retirement can be a difficult one and it was no different for the former Switzerland international when the reality sunk in. Speaking to Blick, a Swiss newspaper, he said: "I still had a contract until the summer. I always wanted to stop playing football at 35. That was our agreement and now we are here.
"But it's... It happened a bit abruptly, then you're there for a short while and you think: "Uff okay, now I'm not in the dressing room anymore. I wouldn't say it hurts, but it grounds you, you think 'what now?' I am no longer the footballer Timm Klose."
Klose's long-term future in the game has yet to be decided, although he has been helping out by coaching Basel's Under-21 side which has helped the transition from playing to hanging up his boots. After a lengthy career travelling across Europe, he will also allow his wife to have a big say on the couple's next destination.
He added: "I've tried to open some doors or prepare some doors so to speak. With FC Basel, I was lucky that they gave me this option, that I don't have to go from 100 per cent to 0 per cent, but can still help with the U21s so I'm not yet immediately out of it.
"I'm not immediately out of professional football. The conditions are good in the junior areas at FA Basel. I'm glad that I can make this transition from professional to non-professional which is better than if I quit immediately.
"Now it depends on how I develop. What can I do following all the headed balls where I lost the brain cells to get them back?" he joked. "What makes it interesting for Timm Klose?
"Yes, we have received offers. But it is extremely difficult. I listen to myself and discuss it with my wife. She is a very important person for me, with my son now, where we have to make a decision that suits us."
Reflecting on his career, which included a promotion in Switzerland with FC Thun, a cup win with Wolfsburg, promotion with Norwich, and 17 international caps, he added: "Of course, I was lucky enough to experience a lot in my career, to experience a lot in my career that I never expected.
"I am grateful that I was able to go this way, for all the people who helped me, but also for myself who helped me, but also for myself, I am also grateful that I went through it and never lost my way. I was able to stay the way I am."
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