Overview

• The former Manchester United and England defender, 46, says stepping away from a decade at TNT Sports frees him from a fixture-driven schedule.
• A February visit to Dubai schools convinced him the education felt better for his children, with the timing aligning to a 14-year-old beginning GCSEs this August.
• He plans to expand his owned media work through Rio Ferdinand Presents and build on Middle East ties including the Football Escapes venture.
• The family is relocating from Bromley, with younger children moving to Dubai, while eldest son Lorenz remains in the UK after signing a professional deal with Brighton in July.
• New coverage highlights cautionary views from former Dubai residents who cite high living costs and demanding work cultures as potential drawbacks.