Former Manchester United player Philip Mulryne believes football and monastic life have more in common than people think.
Mulryne, 47, played for Manchester United and made his only Premier League appearance in 1998 alongside Teddy Sheringham and Andy Cole. He also earned 27 caps for Northern Ireland and played for Norwich and Cardiff City before retiring in 2008. In 2017, he took an unexpected path and became a Catholic priest, leaving behind a lifestyle where he once earned up to £500,000 per year.
A few years ago, he told Norwich’s club website that he felt dissatisfied with football life, despite dating high-profile figures like Nicola Chapman. He recently shared more about his new life with academy players, as reported by Belfast Live.
“I live in a monastery, so I am more of a monk, really,” he explained. “There are a lot of similarities between football and monastery life.”
Mulryne compared his monastery to a football team. “We live as a community, depending on each other. Just like at Man United, I learned discipline and teamwork,” he said. “I also have a superior in the monastery, like a football manager.”
“We don’t have TV, but we have a room with computers, so I watch match highlights and keep up with football.”
Mulryne left Manchester United in 1999 to join Norwich for £500,000, where he became a fan favorite and made over 150 league appearances. Later, he moved to Cardiff City but struggled for game time. He also had short spells at Leyton Orient and King’s Lynn Town. At 31, he stepped away from football after losing passion for the game.
Looking back on his decision, Mulryne said, “In my last year at Norwich, I started feeling empty despite having everything a young footballer dreams of.” He returned home, volunteered at a homeless shelter, and reconnected with his faith. “Football had highs and lows, but this new life gave me steady contentment.”
He has no regrets. “I felt a strong calling to this life. It’s been eight years, and I’m happy with my decision.”
Mulryne had his share of ups and downs in football. In 2005, he was sent home from the Northern Ireland squad for breaking curfew. His former Norwich teammate, Peter Crouch, joked in his book that spending time with him might have convinced Mulryne to become a priest.
Mulryne began his religious studies in 2009 at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. Before that, he spent two years studying philosophy in Italy and later earned a theology degree in Belfast.