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Michael Carrick to retire

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Michael Carrick will retire at the end of the season and join his coaching staff.

The midfielder is the club’s longest servant having made a £14m move from Tottenham back in 2006. He is the last surviving member of the 2008 Champions League winning team, and was made the club’s captain last summer after the departure of Wayne Rooney.

However, it has been a difficult year for the West Ham academy graduate, making just one single appearance against Burton Albion back in September. During that game, Carrick noted he felt strange and has since been treated for an irregular heart rhythm. He has only recently returned to training, and could make his return to action in the next few weeks.

Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Jose Mourinho confirmed that Carrick will however retire at the end of the season and take up his offer to join his coaching staff:

“The club would be very happy for him to do that. I would be very happy also for him to do that.

“I expect him to join [the coaching staff].

“[He had] a few months without even training so now he is in his second week of training with the team. He is a very important player for us.

“I think it is a good decision for the team and a good decision for him to finish playing football and not injured or with some problem.”

Despite being one of the most decorated midfielders in English history, winning five Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Europa League, one FA Cup and three League cups, Carrick has only managed just 34 international caps after being overlooked by a succession of England managers.