Former Man Utd Midfielder Cleverley Announces Retirement

He said last year has been immensely difficult  - Reuters
He said last year has been immensely difficult - Reuters
TT

Former Man Utd Midfielder Cleverley Announces Retirement

He said last year has been immensely difficult  - Reuters
He said last year has been immensely difficult - Reuters

Former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley announced his retirement from soccer at the age of 33, citing lingering injuries.

The ex-England international most recently captained Watford, joining the Championship side on loan from United during the 2009-10 season.

Cleverley made 181 appearances, scored 19 times and registered 15 assists during his six-and-a-half-year spell at Watford after joining from Everton on loan for the second time and making the move permanent in 2017.

His last season was plagued by injuries as he missed 29 games for Watford, who finished 11th in the Championship standings, Reuters reported.

Cleverley underwent surgery on an Achilles injury that had kept him out for an extended period at the beginning of last season before sustaining a thigh injury in February.

"Today, I am announcing my retirement from football as a player. The last year has been immensely difficult trying to overcome the obstacles of injury," the former Premier League winner said in a statement on Saturday.

"Unfortunately, my body has failed me and just hasn't got the capacity to perform anymore."

Cleverley, an academy graduate of United, played 79 games for the Old Trafford outfit before joining Leicester City, Watford, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa and Everton on loan.

"Special mentions must go to Manchester United... The people and the club that gave me the foundations as a player and person and also the club that made my dreams come true...

"To all those involved with Watford Football Club. I have the privilege of calling this club home... The love you have shown me as a young loanee up to the moment I retire as a grown man I can never repay."

Watford said, "Some exciting news will soon be announced jointly by the club and Tom."



Spain Extends Contract of National Team Coach Luis de la Fuente until 2028

Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente monitors a training session in Donaueschingen, Germany, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)
Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente monitors a training session in Donaueschingen, Germany, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)
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Spain Extends Contract of National Team Coach Luis de la Fuente until 2028

Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente monitors a training session in Donaueschingen, Germany, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)
Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente monitors a training session in Donaueschingen, Germany, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)

Spain's national team coach Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract until 2028 after leading the team to last year's European Championship title.

The Spanish soccer federation said Monday that it is “renewing its confidence” in the 63-year-old De la Fuente, who started coaching the nation's youth squads in 2013 and took over the senior team after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to replace Luis Enrique, The AP reported.

De la Fuente is the first Spain coach to win the European Championship at three different levels after also leading the country to the Under-19 and Under-21 titles.

The new contract will keep the former player in charge of La Roja during the 2026 World Cup and Euro 2028.