Fabrice Muamba is 'excited' at the prospect of returning to Bolton Wanderers to coach in the club's academy after the move this summer has become official, he revealed.
The 34-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at White Hart Lane during an FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur while playing for Wanderers. Muamba dropped to the ground after his heart stopped on March 17, 2012. It took medics an excruciating 78 minutes to resuscitate the then-23-year-old.
Muamba came through the youth team ranks at Arsenal before moving on to Birmingham City and later to Bolton, for whom he played 148 times and scored four goals. Following his recovery from the cardiac arrest, Muamba announced his retirement from football in August 2012.
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Earlier this year, Muamba revealed he was poised to return to Wanderers and begin coaching in their academy this summer. The retired midfielder is looking forward to going back to his old club after receiving confirmation of the news.
He has reflected once again in his decision to hang up his boots in the aftermath of the incident on the pitch at White Hart Lane. But he is in no doubt he made the correct decision to have time with his family and now have the opportunity to coach back at his old club.
Speaking to The News Desk on TalkTV, Muamba said: "Because I was down for so long and the impact it had on my health in terms of my heart, my brain and everything else, even though I tried and I went to see the best cardiologist in the world, the answer was just 'it's best for you to step away from the game'.
"I'm glad I made that decision because I'm still here. I'm able to enjoy time with my kids, with my wife and now I'm in a position to go back to Bolton, it's somthing I'm looking forward to as well.
"I'm excited. Today I received the email that it's official, so now to go back not as a player, but as a coach, I'm just looking forward to it.
"Hopefully I can share my experience with these young lads and then give them an opportunity to go forward and hopefully become some good footballers."
