Former Sierra Leone national team captain Steven Caulker has opened up about the difficulties of finding employment after retiring from professional football, revealing that he has struggled to secure job interviews despite believing he has the qualifications required for available roles.
The 34-year-old former England international shared his experience in a post on LinkedIn, describing unemployment as stressful and acknowledging the emotional toll of repeated rejection as he seeks to establish himself in a new career.
Caulker said he was trying to remain calm rather than panic about his situation. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a daily routine, noting that going for a run had helped improve how he felt.
The former defender added that he had sometimes turned down opportunities that did not align with his professional ambitions, suggesting that finding suitable work remained an important consideration in his career transition.
Caulker retired from professional football in December 2025 and subsequently focused on coaching. His coaching experience includes spells with Spain-based FC Málaga City and Icelandic club Stjarnan.
In February 2026, he joined Turkish side Konyaspor as an assistant coach before reportedly leaving the position in September.
Beyond coaching, Caulker founded Behind the White Lines, an initiative aimed at supporting footballers as they prepare for life and careers beyond the game. He has also listed wellness consultancy among his professional activities.
Born in London, Caulker made one senior appearance for England, scoring against Sweden in November 2012. He later switched international allegiance to Sierra Leone, where he captained the Leone Stars and represented the country at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Cameroon in January and February 2022.
His latest comments highlight the challenges professional athletes can face when transitioning into careers outside competitive sport. Despite his international playing experience and subsequent involvement in coaching, Caulker’s account illustrates that securing employment after retirement can remain difficult.
However, there is no verified evidence that Caulker has said he is unable to meet his living expenses. His comments centre on the difficulty of securing interviews, dealing with rejection and finding opportunities that match his professional goals.