It’s not the first time Matt Richie has been playfully nudged about driving an open-top bus during Newcastle’s Carabao Cup celebration, which attracted a massive crowd of around 300,000. He grins and mentions, “I’m not sure I can actually do that; there’s probably a different license for it.” His upgrade to an LGV Category C license came after his eight years at the club.
While he doesn’t have a side hustle in transport, Richie and his wife, Emma, have a passion for riding and show jumping. They’ve even managed to learn how to drive a horse box. “It’s pretty straightforward… just need to take a bit wider turns,” he reflects, recalling how it pushed him out of his comfort zone. Though, he admits that the theory test was quite challenging, especially the dangerous perception part. “There’s definitely a trick to it,” he adds.
This month marks a new chapter for Richie as he dives into something a little different, signing up for the UEFA A Licensed Coaching Course. At 35, with his contract at Portsmouth set to continue until the end of the next season, he’s feeling that sense of urgency as he transitions from a playing career that has taken him from the Premier League to his hometown club. “My dreams are feeling a bit finite now,” he admits. “It’s time to rethink my path. I’m trying to strip away the distractions. What can I pick up along the way?”
Enjoying a sunny day in New Forest, Richie reflects on nearly two decades in professional football. From his loan debut as a teen at Dagenham & Redbridge, through lessons from Paolo Di Canio and Eddie Howe, and his successful times at Bournemouth, he’s eager for new challenges and experiences.
“I’ve been listening to Chris Voss, the FBI negotiator,” he shares. “It’s one thing to talk about making moves, but actually taking action is what counts.”
Richie is considering management but is currently taking small steps, sometimes coaching Bournemouth’s under-15 and under-16 teams. A decade ago, he celebrated a major promotion to the top flight with Bournemouth. He jokes that it takes ten days just to digest everything he’s learned from his time under Howe and to compare how Newcastle has nurtured its players.
Richie witnessed the dedication Howe and his coaching staff invested over the years. “I moved from Newcastle to Bournemouth with JT [Jason Tindall] and Buy [Stephen Purches] for two years. They were always glued to their laptops, even at the airport. You could tell they never switched off. They’re constantly thinking, ‘How can I improve?’ I’m grateful for those lessons—they painted a vivid picture of what management entails.”
He recalls a team meeting where Howe expressed his ambition to win silverware. “He said there might be challenges ahead, but I believe we can win,” he remembers. They reached the final in 2023, only to lose on penalties to Chelsea, but this year they finally clinched the title. “The push for victory truly began back in 2021. Howe shifted the group’s mentality; failure wasn’t an option anymore. That was pure leadership, and I admire his vision.”
Richie revels in the success of his current club, sharing, “Seeing them lift the Cup was thrilling; he’s now a legend at Newcastle. I think back to Sir Bobby Robson, realizing it’s more than just admiration—it’s a deep connection.”
He reflects on his time under Di Canio, noting how the Italian had a unique, if polarizing, style. His strict nutritional rules, including banning certain foods, taught Richie valuable lessons about the importance of diet. “I learned that if you want to excel, you really need to understand what you put in your body,” he says. “It made a difference for me, switching from junk food before games to more thoughtful choices.”
Richie always hoped to return to Portsmouth, having made his Premier League debut in 2010, but that season ended in administration for the club. “The feeling of playing at Fratton Park during my early days is something that still stays with me,” he recalls, thinking back on a specific League Cup match against Leicester.
“I can remember it as if it were yesterday. I remember getting into the box but shooting from too far out instead of taking the defender on. But now, I’m keen on guiding younger players,” he muses, acknowledging the wisdom shared by the first-team coach at Newcastle.
Recently, he took a moment to appreciate his journey after celebrating the championship with Portsmouth alongside his son, Harry, and daughter, Olivia. A close friend reached out, reminding Richie of how far he’s come. “It made me reflect on my journey; if you had told my 16-year-old self, training alongside legends like Sol Campbell, that I’d be the captain of Fratton Park, it would have sounded surreal.”
After returning to the South Coast last summer, Richie found himself in familiar territory, walking into a loft filled with old boots. He decided to donate some pairs to the newly promoted Bournemouth women’s team. “I don’t expect anything for free,” he laughs, “but if you want something, you have to earn it.”
