Aston Villa star Tyrone Mings has not ruled out a career in politics after football and said that he “might” run for prime minister in the future.
The 28-year-old centre-back has been an outspoken champion against racism in the sport and criticised Home Secretary Priti Patel over her views on taking the knee.
Mings publicly slammed Patel and accused her of ‘stoking the fire’ ahead of England’s Euro 2020 campaign in the summer.
Advert
Patel condemned the abuse England stars Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka received after missing their penalties against Italy in the final.
However, Mings brutally hit out at the Conservative Party MP for Witham on Twitter.
When he was asked what he might do after retirement, the Villa defender told Goal: “I might try to be prime minister.”
Advert
Mings, who has been with Villa since 2019, admitted that he is ‘excited’ for life after football and doesn’t believe a coaching role is his only option.
“I am fairly open because retirement isn’t something that worries me,” he added.
“I don’t feel like I have to be shoehorned into a coaching role because it is all I know.
“It excites me thinking about what could come up post-football, but I am definitely not there yet.”
Mings, who is under contract until 2024, has played in all but one of Aston Villa’s Premier League matches this season.
Advert
Villa sit two points outside of the Premier League relegation zone and Dean Smith was axed on Sunday after leading the side to their fifth successive defeat.
Mings says that it will “never be the case” that football and politics can be kept separate and praised Manchester United star Rashford for his work off the pitch.
“A lot of people don’t want us to go into politics too deeply,” he explained.
“I get that people want football to be escapism and keep politics and sport removed from each other, but it will never be the case.
“There were difficult conversations before the tournament about not taking the knee, attitudes towards the players or a lack of support. That stuff maybe gave us more drive but it certainly brought the England players together.
Advert
“In the last two years, we’ve had difficult conversations with people having to decide where they stand. The white guys are exposed to different forms of discrimination but not racism itself.
“These guys are able to see the hurt that it causes on their teammates, though, and they want to stand up and put their head above the parapet as a [white] ally. That’s a real positive and it goes a long way to create a team spirit and bond between teams.”
Mings continued: “People think the bar is set low for footballers but there’s a lot of well-spoken, intelligent players. You can’t judge knowledge just on how you speak.
Advert
“Look at Marcus Rashford with what he is doing. He doesn’t always come across as the most articulate but when you ask what he is involved in, then he is very knowledgeable on the subject. He isn’t just putting his name to it, he knows what he is talking about.
“As footballers, it is just about being authentic and getting that true reflection of who that person is. I am pleased football is giving me a platform to do other things in the future.”
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Tyrone Mings, Aston Villa, Premier League, England, Football
