GUDNI Bergsson will continue working for Wanderers even after he retires from playing writes Neil Bonnar
Sam Allardyce wants Bergsson to continue his links with the club by uncovering Iceland's future stars.
The 37-year-old Reebok captain insists he will finally call it a day as a player at the end of this season to embark on a career as a lawyer in his native Iceland.
But that will not end his association with Wanderers as Allardyce seeks to capitalise on Bergsson's iconic status in his home country.
Although Allardyce will keep the door open for Bergsson to carry on playing next season if he decides to give it one more year in the Premiership, he knows the odds are firmly stacked on the side of the centre half calling it a day.
But that could signal a diversification in Bergsson's work for the club as Big Sam looks to tap into Iceland's outstanding ratio of unearthed footballing gems.
He explained: "I am sure Gudni will work closely with us when he does retire in helping us to find Iceland's top players of the future.
"We would not want to break those ties with him after he stops playing.
"Iceland has produced an incredible amount of talent for a country with such a small population and Gudni can help us to find them.
"We want the future Gudni Bergssons, Eidur Gudjohnsens, Arnar Gunnlaugssons and Joey Gudjonssons and we want Gudni to help us find them.
"He is probably the best known person in Iceland, apart from possibly Bjork, and he is well known for the right reasons.
"The way he conducts himself, his eloquence, everything about him. He is a great statesman for his country."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article