Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PETR THE GREAT
Cech will hang up his gloves in summer and is hailed one of football’s best ever goalkeepers
PETR CECH has been hailed as one of the all-time greats after announcing he will retire at the end of the season.
Cech, 36, has broken records and won trophies galore in a glittering career during 11 years at Chelsea before moving to Arsenal in 2015.
The Gunners keeper said: “This is my 20th season as a professional player and it has been 20 years since I signed my first professional contract, so it feels like the right time to announce that I will retire.
“I will continue to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season. I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch.”
The tributes came thick and fast, led by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who said: “I am honoured to have been the manager that, at such an early age, gave Petr a top Premier League No.1 shirt.
“After that day, it is all about him. All about his numbers, his performances, his clean sheets, his titles and his professionalism. It’s a big loss for football, but history can’t be deleted.”
Cech won four Premier League titles at Chelsea, five FA Cups (including one with Arsenal) and produced perhaps his greatest-ever performance in the 2012 Champions League final when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich after a penalty shootout.
The Czech international also set a Premier League record in 2004/05 by conceding just 15 goals all season. He also holds the greatest number of clean sheets – a staggering total of 202 – in the Premier League.
Cech’s bravery was highlighted when suffering a fractured skull in October 2006, after a clash with Reading’s Stephen Hunt, and he has worn protective headgear ever since. Cech, who is currently doing his coaching badges, could have played on and Arsenal wanted to keep him, but he decided to bring down the curtain.
He will now look to move into coaching, but it is likely to be more as a manager rather than goalkeeper coach, with the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry – greats from that Chelsea team – also pursuing managerial careers.
A message from Chelsea said: “A champion on and off the pitch.” The club have made it clear the door is open for him to pursue a coaching career at Stamford Bridge.
His former Blues teammate Carlo Cudicini said: “Congratulations for an immense career and good luck for what comes next.”
Watford keeper Ben Foster said: “One of my all-time favourites. You’ll be missed Petr.”
Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois said: “You were an exceptional colleague, friend and example for me personally, and for all us goalkeepers.”