Jimmy White Eyes Legacy Beyond the Table: ‘I Want to Find the Next Ronnie O’Sullivan’
Jimmy White, the beloved “Whirlwind” of snooker, has revealed his future aspirations once he decides to retire from his legendary 45-year career on the main professional circuit. At 63, White is still competing at a high level, recently taking part in the Snooker Shoot Out in Blackpool and the British Seniors Open. But despite his continued success, the six-time World Championship finalist is already looking ahead to the next phase of his life: coaching.
White has made it clear that he wants to help discover the next snooker sensation—someone who could rise to the level of legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan. In a recent interview at the opening of his new snooker club in Woking, White expressed his desire to nurture young talent and bring new life to the sport in the UK. “If I can spot players who are improving, I’ll put maximum effort into helping them,” White said. “We’ve got good coaches here, and if we find any British talent, we’ll back them all the way.”
White is particularly focused on cultivating homegrown talent, as he notes that much of the emerging talent in the sport is coming from China. Despite England’s dominance in the sport with 43 players on the World Snooker Tour, White sees a lack of new British stars coming through. He’s determined to change that and bring fresh energy into the game, using his vast experience to guide promising young players.
At the same time, White continues to compete, facing off against younger players like 14-year-old Polish prodigy Michal Szubarczyk, who recently defeated him 6-2 in the UK Championship qualifiers. While White remains one of the sport’s most cherished figures, he’s ready to pass on the baton and shape the future of snooker.
