Forgotten ex-Man Utd player star now living very different life as fashion stylist for Chelsea flop

A former Manchester United star has taken up a very different career path since retiring from football, and now dresses a Chelsea flop.

Many professional footballers stay in and around the game when they retire from playing, with most moving into coaching or media work.

However, some stars decide to follow their other passions upon hanging up their boots.

Former Liverpool defender became a tattoo artist (and is also the co-owner of a sewage management company), while French World Cup winner Fabian Barthez became a motorbike and rally race driver.

Former Man United striker David Bellion took a path somewhere between the two; he maintains links to football, but his actual work couldn't be more different.

The Frenchman joined United in 2003 in a £3 million move from Sunderland, with Sir Alex Ferguson hoping he would be United's answer to Arsenal's Thierry Henry.

Bellion contributed eight goals and three assists in 40 appearances for United, before going on to turn out for West Ham, Nice, Bordeaux and Red Star Paris.

The striker retired in 2016, and moved into the world of fashion styling.

He now styles footballers including Tiemoue Bakayoko, who flopped at Chelsea after making a £40m switch from Monaco in 2017.

Getty)

Speaking to French GQ, Bellion revealed his love of fashion goes back to his United days.

"When I got out of training, I went to stores just to look at the clothes. Sometimes I didn’t buy anything," he said.

"I am a great romantic and I embrace it perfectly in my way of seeing things, of speaking to people. I have a bit of a childish side. I don’t have a very developed competitive spirit, more of an obsession with beauty."

Bellion admitted that appearing in French GQ to talk about fashion gives him "as much pleasure as signing for United."

Speaking to the Sun in 2018, Bellion explained his love of art.

"I didn't grow up with a lot of art. I am from a modest family," he said.

"But from young I was very, very particular in the things I liked, in everything I wanted to have.

"I think I always had a good eye for something that looked different or 'edgy'. I always wanted the trainers that nobody else had."

Topics: Football, Manchester United

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton