Peterborough United promotion hero believes he can take Spalding United to the next level after taking a coaching course alongside Cesc Fabregas and he’s tipping Posh to go up again

Zakuani (34) has taken over at struggling Northern Premier League side Spalding United to help out a mate - Peterborough-based businessman Andrew Killingsworth used to sponsor Posh and their tough-tackling centre-back, as well as support the player’s charities - and he’s already working night and day to prepare for an unlikely assault on the South East Division play-offs.

Spalding are currently 17th in a 20-team league having collected just one point in their last six matches - that came from a draw in Zakuani’s first game in charge just prior to lockdown.

“I have studied the fixtures for when we return,” Zakuani stated. “And with the players we now have at the club and the ones we will bring to the club I reckon we have a chance. There’s no pressure on me from the club to win promotion this season. We’re happy to make sure we stay in the division, but I think we can achieve more and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I never played non-league football so I don’t know the scene that well, but I’ll learn quickly.

“I’d been taking my coaching badges, but I wasn’t actively looking for a management job. I only retired from playing earlier this year and I’ve been keeping busy with soccer schools and media work.

“But my friend had bought Spalding and I was happy to help him out.

“It’s been very busy. I’ve been working for the club at all hours, but I don’t mind that. I worked hard all through my playing career and that can take you a long way.

“I’m trying to make us a bit more professional. We’ll increase the number of training sessions when we come back out of this lockdown.

“The players seemed keen for me to stay after I helped out for a couple of games and that pleased me.

“I won’t be encouraging too much messing around at the back, but I want to play ‘Fergie-style’ attacking football.” He was referring to his old Posh boss Darren Ferguson rather than Sir Alex and a 3-3 draw in his first game suggests he’s already managed that.

* Zakuani has this week added defender/midfielder Hugo Odogwu-Atkinson and forward Reanu Grosset to the Spalding squad. He’d already signed Nile Ranger, Chris Assombalonga (bother of Britt) and Glenn Yala-Bolasie (brother of Yannick). “I’m signing players who are better than our level,” Zakuani said.

* Zakuani has already passed the second-highest professional football coaching qualification. He took his UEFA B Licence during the first sporting lockdown of the year when he had a very famous classmate. “Cesc Fabregas was in my group. We did the course online earlier this year and I really enjoyed it. I will take my UEFA A Licence within a year. I ‘d be interested in a League job one day, but I’m committed to Spalding. They have my full attention.”

*Zakuani will continue to work for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire as a summariser when his Spalding commitments allow.

“Posh look a very resilient team this season,” Zakuani said. “They have been finding ways to win even when not playing well and that’s a great sign. I fancy their chances of promotion this season. They have the manager and they have the players.”