FORMER Saint Theo Walcott is open to becoming an academy coach following retirement but admits he is "happy to sit back" for now.

Walcott has been working as a pundit since hanging up his boots, while also trying to be more present with his family and dipping his toes into the world of coaching.

The 34 year old is currently coaching his son’s Under-7s team, which he concedes is much different from working at the academy level.

"I feel like I can help the next generation this way more than I would have done by playing," Walcott told the Daily Echo. "We’ve won four out of four."

"He’s doing really well, but it’s about making sure they have fun. That’s what that age is about. Even with the premiere of the new Football Academy series, it’s all about the enjoyment in the academy side of things."

"There will be ups and downs in their experience, I’ve had my ups and downs. Right now I’m on that journey with my team now, but I’m intrigued to see how Saints get on with their academy.

"I’ve gone into something different. There will be challenges, I will watch games and think I miss it, but I know why I stopped.

"As long as I keep reminding myself of that, it’s okay with me. A lot of people tell me that I could still play, but I don’t want to play anymore."

Having shot into the limelight following a surprise England call-up at 17, Walcott's experiences make him a good candidate to help other youngsters who may tread a similar path.

Daily Echo: Asked if coaching at the academy level would be a future ambition, he continued: “It’s something I'm looking into, doing my coaching badges.

"I’m not saying I’m going to do it, but it’s nice to have the option. When I’m talking about football on the TV, it would give me some more insight to understand how it works on the coaching side of things.

"I feel like I am more inclined to coach the academy side of things. I came from there and I want to help the next generation. It’s something I am happy to sit back on but dip my toe into every now and then.”

That willingness to help the next generation stretches to the players he was sharing a dressing room with last season.

Walcott is hoping to make a return to Staplewood in the near future to see if there are any areas that he might be able to help with.

He has also stayed in touch with some of his former teammates. He named Tino Livramento, who departed for Newcastle this summer, as one player he has remained in contact with since his exit, but conceded that not many younger players have asked him for advice.

“I haven’t quite had that yet, I don’t know why they wouldn’t. There’s been a few players that I’ve kept in touch with just because I like to see what they are up to.

"Some of the guys who are a little bit older  - they don’t need to talk to me, they know what they are doing.

"The players have my number, I’m always open to giving some advice. If I look back on my career as a youngster, I should have indulged a bit more in the brains of people like Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole.

Daily Echo: "When I was there I was just terrified I suppose. I should have asked a few questions. I’d encourage any young players that if you have a question, don’t be afraid to ask."

While Walcott admits that he was overawed by senior players as a youngster, he doesn't think that the current generation of players coming through have the same issue.

"It doesn’t happen so much anymore. I feel that it’s a generational change. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.

"I always feel as though if someone is more experienced than you, why don’t you just ask them a question?

"Players aren’t really afraid anymore, but they are also not really afraid to just go off and do it themselves.”

A number of Under-21 players have trained with Russell Martin's first-team squad this season as they continue their development towards senior football.

When speaking to the Daily Echo, Sam Amo-Ameyaw named Joe Aribo as a senior player who has helped him, while Ryan Fraser also discussed the importance of setting an example for youngsters with nutrition.

“The club itself have the staff, the environment - the nutritionists there for them," Walcott added as the conversation switched to how Saints can help players maximise their development.

"There are so many people now that you can get help from. Some players will do it themselves - the young players see what the older players are eating and what vitamins they take.

"It’s good to know what you are putting in your body. I feel like in the past players might have taken vitamins and weren’t sure what they were, which wasn’t right.

"Now there are a lot more people who can help. It’s nice that players are asking. The ultimate goal is for Saints to get back to the Premier League.

"Players want to play. When you’ve got players competing for the same positions it’s difficult to help if you’re not playing.

"It shows the kind of good characters that Saints have in that dressing room to put that to one side and be willing to help in some way. You need those connections off the field otherwise it’s not going to click on the field."