Nicolas Anelka takes up consultant role at Roda

Backroom post

Former Real Madrid striker Nicolas Anelka has been brought on board by Eredivisie side Roda JC as a consultant, the Dutch outfit announced today.

“Roda JC has reached a deal with Nicolas Anelka to join as a consultant, Anelka ' the club confirmed in a statement, adding that the 37-year-old “will arrive this week and start beefing up the club at once”.

Russian investment

The appointment comes in the wake of last week's announcement that Russian-Swiss investor Aleksei Korotaev has bought a minority stake in the club. Roda did not disclose how much Korotaev had invested, but local Dutch media report that it amounted to a sizeable, “six figure” inversion.

Korotaev has big plans with the club. He wants to bring Roda back to the top of the Eredivisie”, financial daily Financieel Dagblad said.

Anelka’s role at Roda will be dealing with the club’s youth academy. He will also act as an advisor to the club’s technical department regarding issues relating to the French football market.

Experience as a player

Anelka’s vast and varied playing career took him to many of Europe’s top sides including Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City and Fenerbahçe. He was also capped 69 times at full international level with France.