Lee Cattermole Calls Time On Career, Eyes Coaching Role
One of the most tough-tackling midfielders in English football in recent seasons, Lee Cattermole, has announced his retirement at the age of 32 and will pursue a career as a coach.
Cattermole featured for Dutch side VVV Venlo last season and made eleven appearances before the campaign was brought to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The former England under-21 midfielder started out with Middlesbrough in the Premier League as a 17-year-old in January 2006 and later featured in that year’s UEFA Cup final, where the Riverside Stadium outfit lost 4-0 to Sevilla.
Cattermole also turned out for Wigan Athletic and had his longest spell at Sunderland, where he played for 10 years.
Cattermole’s aggressive nature saw him receive 88 yellow cards and seven red cards in his Premier League career.
The ex-midfielder said in a statement: 'With the current situation, the amount of time I have had at home and a great season in Holland, the time is right for me to look into going down the coaching route.
'It was a difficult decision. If the season hadn't finished like it did in May then things might not have been like this, but I think this is right.
'My career has set me up for the future - a future I am looking forward to. I will be going from being an old player to being one of the youngest coaches.
'I am happy with my playing career, although I'm sure I could have done better. I could have done worse as well.
'I will learn from those things and I want to make sure I am an even better coach/manager than I was a player.'
