Former Premier League star Emmanuel Adebayor urged to make bizarre career switch 18 months after retiring

Ex-Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City forward advised to become a politician

Emmanuel Adebayor has been told to take ‘the next step’ and move into politics following his retirement from football.

The 39-year-old announced earlier this year he has called time on his career.

And speaking on the former Togo international's career, Adebayor's former international team-mate and current Togo boss Paulo Duarte declared the former striker could 'take the next step' and enter politics.

Adebayor made 87 appearances for his country and was part of their 2006 World Cup squad, so knows Duarte well.

And when asked whether Adebayor could be included in his coaching staff, Duarte said: "Why not, but I think he has to take the next step now. I see Emmanuel as a politician."

Adebayor has previously spoken about his desire to help his country in the past after being moved by the plight of people’s day-to-day lives.

He penned an open letter in 2013 in which he admitted his "heart bleeds" at the poverty and corruption he had seen having grown up in Togo.

Adebayor spent two years with Manchester City and was a member of the Arsenal squad that reached the 2006 Champions League final before leaving to join Real Madrid in 2009.

After a successful playing career, Adebayor could now take a different route into a job with plenty of responsibility should he choose to take Duarte’s advice.