Steve Guinan will take his first step in management in January after accepting a new role.
The 34 year old has been appointed manager of Hartpury College's junior football academy, running three sides with the full-time under 19 side his main focus. The college side also acts as Forest Green's youth side, with several members going on to play for them in the Conference.
Guinan told the BBC he could combine both his playing and managing as Forest Green train at the college, adding: "It's not an easy job, it's highly pressured, they're expected to win trophies - they're like the Manchester United of the college scene."
Recently the college has been crowned British University Champions in both 2007 and 2008, English Colleges Champions in 2008, and England Schools U18 Champions in 2009.