Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia retires from competitive football
Former Liverpool defender, Sami Tuomas Hyypia, has announced his retirement from professional football.
Over the years, Hyypia played for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904).
The former Finland International received fame in the football world during his 10 year spell with Liverpool; the 37-year-old made 317 appearances for the Reds and scored 35 goals. In his successful tenure with the Reds, Hyypia won the UEFA Champions League,
the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and Carling Cup winners’ medals.
Hyypia was certainly an influential figure for the Reds and captained the side on numerous occasions. His latest spell with the Bundesliga team, Bayer Leverkusen, was also productive as he made 45 appearances and had three goals against his name.
The defender claimed that the decision to retire gradually grew during the ongoing 2010/11 season with Leverkusen.
He said on Finnish TV station MTV3, "I had no interest any more to go elsewhere to play. There are no regrets. Thanks to all those who have helped during the course of my career and to my relatives a big thank you, without family and friends it would not
have been possible."
Furthermore, Hyypia has been offer a coaching job with the German team and he is also planning to be part of management for his national side, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Finland-c2898.
He added, “It will be an interesting year. I must get a coaching license and then I get the experience of Leverkusen and the national team coaching. I'm really happy about this. All who know me know I put myself fully into it. It is 100% or nothing."
At present, Leverkusen are having a decent season; the club are placed second in the Bundesliga standings and league trail leaders Borussia Dortmund by eight points. While Borussia Dortmund have already won the league, Leverkusen are looking set to qualify
for the UEFA Champions League next campaign.
With Hyypia’s experience as a top quality defender, he certainly has the knowledge to be a successful coach. The upcoming generation of Leverkusen youth would certainly benefit from the experiences of the 37-year-old.
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