SIMON Francis is keeping options open for life after his playing career – but is keen to remain in football.

The Cherries skipper, currently recovering from a serious knee injury, is next season planning to do his coaching badges.

While his immediate focus is returning to top-flight action with Eddie Howe’s side, the Nottingham-born ace admits it would be “stupid” not to have the qualifications behind him.

Francis has his own academy which runs sessions in Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding area.

Some youngsters from that project have been recruited for Cherries’ ID centres and youth teams.

Asked whether the spell out had given him time to think about the future, the 34-year-old told the Daily Echo: “I think I will look at doing my badges probably next season and the end of next season. This summer will probably just be too hard with my recovery going on.

“My (UEFA) A Licence will be next and I think it would be silly not to, having been in football all my life.

“If a job comes up with a coaching role then I would be stupid not to have the badges to back myself up.

“With the academy it’s great because I can go down whenever I want, take any sessions, join in with any sessions and get involved in that way. That has been going great.”

He added: “For sure, I’ll be involved in football somehow.

“I like the recruitment side of things and love watching games and players. I hope it will be involved in the club somehow after football, that would be great.”