The winner of Football's Next Star who won Inter Milan contract will manage in FA Cup this weekend

The winner of Sky One reality show Football's Next Star will take charge of Dartford's FA Cup clash against Westfield on Saturday, 16 years after he won a contract to play for Inter Milan.

Ben Greenhalgh, who was offered a six-month deal with the Serie A giants in 2010, will be hoping to lead Isthmian League Premier Division side Dartford to the second qualifying round of this season's FA Cup.

Like his previous job at Margate, a team he guided to a fourth-place finish in the Isthmian South-East Division, the 34-year-old has been juggling his managerial responsibilities with playing duties.

Greenhalgh certainly has some fond memories of the FA Cup. Back in November 2014, he assisted Frannie Collin's winner for Maidstone in their first-round victory over then-League Two side Stevenage.

Now, he is ready to overcome Datford's poor record in England's oldest competition. “We obviously gave objectives to the boys that we did in a presentation at the end of pre-season, and it included the club’s FA Cup runs,” he told Kent Online.

“I think we need to show how good an FA Cup run can be, not just financially for a football club."

What happened to Ben Greenhalgh after he won Football's Next Star?

After being one of the standout performers alongside the likes of Craig Walsh, Hicham Abdellah and Connor Smith, Greenhalgh was awarded a contract by Inter Milan's academy coach Marco Monti.

The skilful winger from Orpington impressed at Inter. In fact, he remains the only British footballer in history to earn a Champions League winners’ medal while playing for the Nerazzurri.

Once his six-month contract came to an end, Greenhalgh re-signed for another season before enjoying a four-month loan spell at Calcio Como.

He was released from his contract in 2011 and went on to play for a number of clubs, including Welling United, Concord Rangers, Ebbsfleet and Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Greenhalgh was also scouted to join talent agency Select Sport Artists, who originally cast him as Cristiano Ronaldo's body double.

Greenhalgh has been Cristiano Ronaldo's body double in the past.

The 34-year-old's career could have taken another turn if he had failed to earn a contract at Inter Milan. Eight years later, Ben revealed that Harry Redknapp would have offered him a two-year contract at Spurs if he hadn't won the show.

Ben Greenhalgh wants to get Dartford back to 'where they belong'

After a solid career in the lower leagues, Greenhalgh was named the player/manager of Isthmian League South East Division side Margate in 2024.

Upon his appointment as manager, Greenhalgh said: “It’s a privilege to, not only be part of this club as a player, but to join some great managers in the history books of Margate FC, is not something I take for granted."

He added: “I thank the club for this opportunity and look forward to steering us back to winning ways."

After finishing fourth in the league, Margate were beaten in their Isthmian South East play-off semi-final against Burgess Hill, but after an impressive run, Dartford moved to appoint Greenhalgh in May.

“I came and watched my first game in 2006 and I live around the corner and always have done and know the club inside-out," he said in his first interview at the club.

“I was gutted when I only played here for a season and a half. But through my time here as a player and academy manager, I know the potential the club has.

“I understand the ambition of the club and it aligns with my own ambitions. I’m really looking forward to getting straight into it and building a squad that has the same desire that I have to be part of this football club and get this club back to where it belongs.”