MATT Jansen is relishing starting a new chapter in his life as he dreams of one day mixing it with football management’s big boys.

Having finally given up on resurrecting his playing career in league football, the former Rovers striker has taken a player-coach role at non league outfit Leigh Genesis - working under ex-Ewood Park team-mate Garry Flitcroft.

The 31-year-old, whose career spiralled downwards after suffering life-threatening head injuries from a motorbike crash in 2002, now has his sights set on one day becoming a manager - but is prepared to be patient on his way to the top.

He said: “I don’t know where it will take me. I want to go as high as I can - I’d love to manage in the Premier League. But you’ve got to be realistic.

“I started my career at Carlisle and perhaps a club like that is the next step up for me. But as I said, it’s a long way in the future.

“I’ve got to start somewhere and that’s the way I’m looking at it.

"It’s better to be part of a football club when doing the badges - and then we’ll see what comes next.

“I’m getting my foot on the ladder. I had the best time of my career at Blackburn, me and Garry both said that.”

Jansen was at Ewood between 1999 and 2006 but only managed just over 150 appearances as head injuries stalled a career that looked set to hand him an England cap.

He has made countless comeback attempts, including recent stints at Huddersfield and Wrexham, but is now ready for the next stage in his footballing journey.

“Garry asked me a while back if I would come along to Leigh and help him out,” said Jansen.

“He’s given me a player-coach role and, for me, that’s the next chapter in my life.

“I’ve wanted to get into coaching, and there’s an opportunity here for me to keep on playing as well.

"The set up at Leigh is fantastic.

“I’m going to do my coaching badges. I’ll be trying to play a few games as well.

“We are going to do the badges together at Lilleshall.

"I did my preliminary badges, but that was over three years ago now.

"Maybe, one day in the future, I can look to do the UEFA A Licence, but that is a while away yet.”

Jansen was even offered a chance to revive his playing career at Rovers under previous boss Paul Ince but, after a couple of months jobs" target= "_blank">training, he realised it was time to accept defeat.

He said: “It was great to see the lads at Blackburn and get my fitness back again.

“They were brilliant with me at Blackburn. They offered a chance for me to go and play for them - but it’s me that is the problem.

"I don’t believe in myself like I used to.

“It’s hard because I have to move on, but I want to stay involved in football.

"I love football, all I’ve ever known is football since I left school at 15 or 16. That’s all I have done.

“We’ll see how the coaching goes. I might absolutely hate it and think after a while that it’s not for me.

“But I’m sure it will be fun. We’ll take every day as it comes and see where it takes me.”