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 IRISH international Megan Campbell hopes to end her injury nightmare by returning for Manchester City next month.
The defender (left) has been sidelined since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in November 2017.
She had targeted a return in Ireland’s final World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in August but that was delayed after a summer 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.” setback. Once or twice Campbell feared the problem could be career-ending but, armed with a new club contract, she said: “My goal is February 3 to play against Watford in FA Cup. I’ll be on restricted minutes but it’s better than 15 months ago.
“Mentally it took more out of me than physically because it wasn’t just football that was involved. I lost my Granddad in October, got injured in November and then in April I lost my Nana. It wasn’t the easiest year and was a bit to go through. You learn a lot about yourself as a person, on and off the pitch.
“I’ve had a few long-term injuries and it does come into your head, ‘What if this is the end or if this happens again will it be the end of my career?’. There were times when I didn’t want to go training, didn’t want to do anything. But it’s about trying to lift yourself out of that hole.” The peace of mind of a new City contract extension has given the Drogheda woman, 25, renewed focus.
Campbell added: “I want to get as many minutes as I can in this four months, whether that’s to stay at City or for people to have a look at me. My main aim is to just get back playing again.”
MEGAN CAMPBELL launched the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme. See www.fai.ie/primary5 for more.