Jonjo Shelvey Details Sleeping Pill Addiction During Difficult Turkish Stint

Jonjo Shelvey, the 34-year-old former Liverpool and Swansea City midfielder, has retired from professional football and is now the head coach of UAE Second Division League side Arabian Falcons. Shelvey, known for his unpredictable on-field performances, has spoken candidly about personal struggles during his playing career, particularly his spell in Turkey.

After transferring from Nottingham Forest to Caykur Rizespor in 2023, Shelvey found adapting to life in Turkey challenging. He described the location as a "very Muslim place" with limited social activities and no alcohol available. Shelvey noted that players often had to live at the training ground and that some clubs did not pay foreign players on time, instead providing cash which could not be taken out of the country.

These circumstances contributed to the development of a sleeping pill addiction. Shelvey explained that faced with the choice between going to a bar or taking sleeping tablets to sleep, he opted for the latter. Initially, one tablet was sufficient, but his tolerance built up, leading him to take six or seven tablets at a time to fall asleep. He stated that he became addicted but managed to overcome it with help after moving to Burnley.

Earlier this year, Shelvey disclosed that the addiction had negatively impacted his relationship with his three children. He recounted moving to Istanbul, which offered more opportunities for social life, but he struggled with being alone. He saw sleeping tablets as an alternative to drinking alcohol, which he felt was detrimental to a footballer's career. He described a routine of taking multiple sleeping pills upon returning to his apartment, even waking up in the middle of the night to take more.

Shelvey has since recovered from his addiction with the support of his wife, Daisy. Following a brief period with Burnley, he joined Arabian Falcons last September. After one season, he decided to retire from playing and take on the head coach role. His team includes former Manchester United player Ravel Morrison and ex-Leicester City player Danny Simpson, who also serves as academy boss.