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Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has a strict plan in mind for his punditry career and has given an indication of what could come after it

The clock is ticking down on the punditry career of former Manchester City star Micah Richards after he admitted he plans to step away from such duties by the time he is 46. That leaves Big Meeks with less than eight years remaining working in a broadcasting capacity.

Richards departed City in 2015 to go in search of greater playing time. He moved to Aston Villa and endured a number of injury issues before calling time on his playing career four years later.

Still just 31, he quickly moved in the world of punditry, striking up an entertaining odd-couple relationship with Manchester United icon Roy Keane, and offering a new presence on television thanks to his booming laughter.

Richards has forged a successful career in the industry and is a prominent figure for BBC, Sky Sports and CBS, often given a place at the desk for football's biggest matches. He is also part of the Rest Is Football podcast, alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.

But despite his vast success, Richards wants to focus his attention elsewhere as he ages. It is his hope to provide support for young people involved in football, who are not usually offered the opportunity to thrive.

"I’ll be out of all this by the time I turn 46,” he told The Telegraph. “You won’t see me on any mainstream media beyond the 2034 World Cup.

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"That will be the last time I am on the BBC or Sky or CBS. I’ve told them all this and they think I’m joking. I’m not.

“I’ve given so much of my life to football since leaving school at 14, but when the time comes, I want to make a difference to people’s lives at a grassroots level – to help those who need it most, especially young people,” he continued.

“I come from Chapeltown in Leeds. It’s an area where there is so much talent, but a shortage of opportunity. I want to give something back.

"That’s my aim. I’ve no idea what form that will take, yet. There’s plenty of time to work that out.

“You see a lot of ex-footballers putting their names to foundation, which is great, but I want to do something more than giving money to charity or showing my face at an event once a year. Hopefully I can keep doing what I am doing for the next seven years – and just make sure I don’t get cancelled before then!”