Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King has revealed that he is taking his coaching badges ahead of a potential step into football management.

The ex-England international centre-back, 32, was forced into premature retirement at the end of the 2011-2012 season after failing to fully overcome a long-standing knee injury.

King currently works as an ambassador for the White Hart Lane outfit, but has hinted that he is contemplating a change in off-field role some time in the future.

He told the Daily Star: "I have been thinking about coaching - I've started my badges.

"It's very different to playing. It's not for everyone. We've seen some great players not get into coaching or not be as good people may have thought.

"I think everyone has to have a taste of it to see how they feel they will do. It's very early days, but I've got something to offer."

King made 319 appearances during his 14-year Tottenham career, and won one major trophy - the League Cup in 2008.