Inter Milan president Erick Thohir says Javier Zanetti first needs to brush up on his English and business skills before moving upstairs this summer.
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Thohir announced earlier this week that Zanetti, 40, will be retiring from the game in the summer when his current contract expires, and that he has been offered a managerial role within the Nerazzurri.
However, for him to be able to fulfil his new duties with the same authority he has shown in 20 years on the field, Thohir is to ask the Argentine to add to his skillset.
"Zanetti is going to remain part of this club," Thohir said on his club's official website. "I've spoken with him about the fact that we need to focus on our final three games of the season, but at the same time we have discussed that he needs to study English and management.
"I think it's important because he can have a big role to play within the club, but only his knowledge of how things work on the field is not enough -- he also needs management awareness. The most important thing right now, though, is that he is our player and that he can help us continue our good form over the next three games."
Inter could seal their place in the Europa League next season with victory over city rivals AC Milan in the derby this weekend, allowing Zanetti to call an end to his playing career, 19 years after joining Inter, on a high note.
Meanwhile, compatriot Diego Milito seems set to leave the club this summer. "His contract is expiring and we obviously need to talk about it with him, but we do need to examine the situation," Thohir said.
"We may need to sign a new attacker and a defender. We only have [Rodrigo] Palacio and [Mauro] Icardi."