Announcing retirement is a huge decision for professional footballers. Giving up the weekly camaraderie of the training ground and dressing room, the question “what next?” is often a deafening one.

Some footballers transition into coaching, some explore broadcasting opportunities and some pursue analyst-type roles. For Paul Shaw, the former striker is enjoying all three across the pond within the Orlando City SC organisation.

Playing over 450 professional games in a career lasting 20 years in England, Hungary and the United States, Paul Shaw was a member of Arsène Wenger’s first team squad for the iconic Frenchman’s first 18 months in charge of Arsenal.

Notable follow-up spells at Millwall, Gillingham and Ferencváros preceded a different kind of career altogether in his new home – Central Florida.

The journeyman striker and 1998 Millwall Player of the Year’s transition from player to coach can be traced back to the now dissolved F.C. New York, a former USL Pro and NPSL side.

Joining the Queens, then Long Island-based side in 2011, Paul Shaw’s playing experience saw him assume a joint assistant coach and player’s role before then head coach Matt Weston resigned in May of that year.

With Paul Shaw replacing fellow Brit Weston as interim head coach, thus heralded the beginning of an exciting new coaching career across the pond.

Almost exactly a year on from his F.C. New York head coach duties, Paul Shaw assumed his current role as a Technical Director for Orlando City Youth Soccer Club (OCYS).

Providing technical direction to all girls and boys’ technical programs, Shaw is responsible for player and coach development as well as overseeing all program coordinators and managers.

Not simply passing his experience onto young footballers and coaches of the future, Paul Shaw is also a part of Orlando City SC‘s live matchday broadcast crew alongside Evan Weston, Miguel Gallardo and Jenny Chiu.

Providing analysis and in-game commentary alongside Lions club legend Gallardo, Paul Shaw’s varied duties at Orlando City SC really are “the next best thing” to playing.

Orlando City UK caught up with Paul Shaw to find out a little more about his exciting new life in North America, post-retirement.

You’ve been involved with Orlando City SC in a number of roles for quite some time now. What drew you to The City Beautiful in the first place?

Many moons ago I played with Adrian Heath at Burnley.

In the early USL days, the club started to put together a youth structure and Adrian contacted me and asked if I was interested in getting involved. It just evolved from there.

You’re currently part of Orlando City SC’s live matchday broadcast crew. How is it working alongside Evan Weston, Miguel Gallardo & Jenny Chiu?

The Orlando City SC broadcasts are so much fun. Evan Weston, Miguel Gallardo, Jenny Chiu, and the rest of the crew are great to work with.

It’s a very relaxed atmosphere. I’ve always enjoyed watching the games from a tactical standpoint.

This is mostly what I look for and try to explain when analyzing the games.

Last month, you had to put up with the weather delay at Philadelphia Union. What’s the biggest challenge of working live broadcasts?

Of course there are many challenges when doing live TV.

At first I found it hard talking and having the producer talking at the same time in my earpiece. Also with live TV, the timing is vital.

You may plan what to say on a certain topic but once you start, you are then told you may only have 10 seconds.

Mostly though, you learn to just get on with it whether it’s recorded or live. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it and move on.

Can you tell us what your role as Orlando City SC Youth Soccer Technical Director involves?

With Orlando City Youth Soccer, my role as Technical Director involves overseeing all soccer programs for boys and girls. We have 48 competitive teams, a recreational program and our little Lions program for ages 4 to 9.

We offer a place for any player at any level to learn and enjoy this wonderful game. At our highest level on the girls side, we develop the players to play at some of the top colleges in the country.

It’s the same on the boys side but additionally, I have to have a close working relationship with the Academy Director Marcelo Neveleff because we are trying to develop players to go into the Orlando City Development Academy.

The next part of my role is to try to develop coaches. Anthony Pulis is now at Saint Louis FC, Mark Lowry is head coach at El Paso Locomotive FC, Rob Valentino is an assistant coach at Atlanta United and they all started with OCYS.

We now have Luke Boden, Lewis Neal and Seb Hines coaching with the club too.

If we can help in any way to develop those guys and all our other coaches then I’ll be very happy.

You’ve been a player, coach and now a pundit. What’s the best? Nothing beats playing, right?

Correct, nothing beats playing but I’m doing the next best thing. Trying to help young players.

Also the broadcast work is a joy. It’s not work.

As a fellow Brit, are you aware of how popular Orlando City SC are in Britain?

I can only imagine how popular the club is in the UK.

Of course Orlando is a massive holiday destination and if visitors can take in high level football while here, then that helps.

What is your favourite memory of being part of the Orlando City SC franchise?

My favourite memory was the first MLS game. A full Citrus Bowl. That day was incredible!

Working with younger players in the Orlando City SC organisation, can you tell us about any players Lions supporters can get excited about in the years to come?

There are many talented players coming through at the club.

I think we will see some players that will really excite the fans in the next 2 to 3 years.

Who is your most improved Orlando City SC player in 2019?

Two players stand out for me. Firstly, Lamine Sané. Staying fit is crucial for him and he has found the ideal partner in Robin Jansson.

Also Will Johnson. His role has been defined this year and he has excelled. A true team player.

And finally… do you believe Orlando City SC will reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs?

Of course I really hope the team make the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.

I think it will go to the wire but I believe James O’Connor and the whole staff take so much credit for the change in the team this year.

The future is very bright.

*THIS INTERVIEW WAS EXCLUSIVELY CONDUCTED BY ORLANDO CITY UK ON SEPTEMBER 20TH 2019*