"I had more of a desire to become a manager" - Former Manchester City defender details Pep Guardiola inspiration

Formerly the world's most expensive defender, Eliaquim Mangala is now in search of a new challenge as he finds himself without a club.

Mangala was once the world's most expensive defender. After winning consecutive titles with Portuguese side Porto, he made a £32m move to Manchester City to work under Manuel Pellegrini, where he was first choice centre back.

However, after the arrival of new boss Pep Guardiola, Mangala was demoted to fourth choice before he made a loan spell to Everton which was unfortunately cut short due to a serious injury.

After leaving City he signed for Valencia on loan where injuries continued to follow him and his contract was not renewed by the Spanish club.

More recently, Mangala signed for French club Saint-Etienne, where he spent six months before departing the club after their high profile relegation to Ligue 2.

Mangala now finds himself without a club and has been using his time away from football to devote himself to charitable work.

However the central defender doesn’t believe his professional days over, as he revealed in an interview with Get French Football News' Luke Entwistle.

When asked if he was looking to get back into football, he responded: “My plan is to find a club and to find a club as quickly as possible.

“It's my passion, and I'm motivated to give a lot more on the pitch. Football is where I enjoy myself,” he added.

Discussing whether he has been inspired to get into management, after posting a picture of himself playing Football Manager with a book on Guardiola’s attacking tactics, he responded “Yes..."

“After playing under him (Pep), I had more of a desire to become a manager.

"It isn't necessarily his playing style, because that can change, but his approach. Why do we play like that? It’s everything, really. The way I received it really opened my eyes.”

The Frenchman joined City in 2014 when the club was managed by Manuel Pellegrini, and when asked if joining the club for a world record fee brought added pressure to perform, he said: “Everyone handles it differently.

“Long before going to Manchester City, I quickly learned that there were multiple aspects to the game.

"There is this subconscious side that has its influence. I tried to balance that influence by telling myself to concentrate on what I had to do,” he explained.

Asked by Luke Entwistle if he felt physically ready to return to playing, he responded: “ Amazing! It was difficult with my knee, but that's football, that’s life. "

Still only 31 years of age, many fans would love to see Mangala back on the pitch and enjoying his football.

Keeping himself fit and injury free will be at the top of Mangala’s list if he is to play professionally again, but management might be another way for him to be involved with the game again.