Gudni Bergsson: Former Bolton legend is now president of Iceland’s football association

IF you're an Iceland football legend, what do you after you've retired from your prestigious career?

Well, if you're Bolton hero Gudni Bergsson you head-up the country's FA, that's what.

In 2017, the Trotters' legendary skipper was elected president of England's Euro 2016 scourges' football association and he's as ambitious as ever.

Bergsson, now 52, was a hit in England for Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton, until he hung up his boots in 2003.

During that time he also won 80 international caps during his 20-year football odyssey.

When he called time on his life in the game, despite then-Bolton boss Sam Allardyce begging him to reconsider, he went back home.

While he played at Spurs, Bergsson studied law and when he returned to his homeland he put his education to practice.

In 2004, he launched a TV show called  Boltinn með Guðna Bergs (loosely translated it means Ball with Gudni Bergs).

It was a huge hit in Iceland, but he didn't want to be pigeon-holed as a showbiz star and continued his legal work.

Back in 2012, Bergsson was stabbed twice in the leg by a man with a knife outside the Reykjavik offices of the law firm Legal Support.

The cool customer was jumping to the aid of a colleague when the incident happened, and the attacker was given a 14-year prison sentence.

Bergsson's life took another twist in March last year when he was elected president of Iceland's football association (KSÍ) at the association's annual congress.

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He took over the reigns from Geir Thorsteinsson, who in ten years oversaw Iceland's stock rise in the world game.

Bergsson is proud of his countries achievements in qualifying for Russia 2018, but knows the hard work is yet to come.

"I played 80 times for my country, but what has happened over the last few years for us has been quite incredible," he told SunSport.

"Our performance at the Euros exceeded expectations and now we go to Russia with great pride.

"We are very ambitious and are not going there just to make up the numbers."

Recalling his time in England, Bergsson had fond memories of playing at Spurs and Bolton.

He discussed the highs and lows of playing in a League Cup final, as well as battling against relegation with the Wanderers.

 "Joining Bolton in 1995 came along at the right time for me.  It was the right fit," he said.

"I had learned a lot about playing in England at Tottenham so I took that experience with me.

"Bolton will always be my second home. I have so many great memories of my time at the club.

"My debut for the club was coming on as a sub in the League Cup final against Liverpool in 1995.

"We lost the game but the pressure games became part and parcel of my time there.

"We were either fighting relegation or promotion almost every season right until the final game.

"In fact my last game for the club we beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in 2003 which kept us up and West Ham were relegated.

"It’s always a difficult time when you stop playing.

"Before I joined Bolton in 1995, I had made career plans for after football in the legal profession."

Despite focusing on Iceland's footballing efforts, Bergsson often takes time out to visit the Reebok Stadium.

Loved by the fans, he always receives a hero's reception whenever he's back.

"I loved playing in England and I have a huge soft spot for Bolton especially," he added.

"It has been good to see them back up in the Championship this season.

"I always try to get over whenever possible to watch them.

"I am very humbled to see the wonderful reaction I always get when I go and see them play.

"The fans have always been so good to me - almost like an extended family."