Conor Coady has called time on his playing career at 33. The former Wolves defender and England international confirmed his retirement on Friday, saying he feels physically fine and could have gone on, but that he is ready for what comes next.
"I could have carried on"
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Coady was open about why now. "I'm really proud to have played this unbelievable game for so long. I think I'm ready," he said. The last couple of years, he admitted, had been tough, because he has been so obsessed with playing that going without it hurt. "I could have carried on playing and sat on the bench, but I've been sat on the bench for the last couple of years and I've found it tough. It happens and comes to everyone."
His final appearance came on 2 May, when he played 61 minutes of a 3-1 defeat to Swansea during a loan spell at Charlton. He left Wrexham on 31 August, when his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
The Wolves years and the England call
Coady started at boyhood club Liverpool and also played for Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Everton, Leicester, Wrexham and Charlton, but Wolves are where he made his name. He spent more than half of his 15-year career there and made 317 appearances in all competitions. He lifted the Championship title in 2017/18, then missed just one Premier League game across the next four seasons at Molineux.
That consistency earned him 10 senior England caps between 2020 and 2022. He was in the squads for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, although he did not get on the pitch at either tournament.
Coaching, a podcast and a return to Liverpool
He is not leaving football behind. Coady coached the England Under-19 and Under-21 sides earlier this year, and in September he revealed he had returned to Liverpool to work with the Under-21s. "I'm trying to keep myself busy," he told BBC Radio 5 Live, saying he has enjoyed watching Jay Spearing and Rob Page plan sessions and jumps in when the group needs numbers. On Thursday it was announced he will co-host a new weekly podcast and YouTube show, The Football Dugout, alongside Sky Sports presenter Mark Chapman.
Career facts: Conor Coady, 33. Clubs: Liverpool, Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Wolves (317 appearances), Everton, Leicester, Wrexham, Charlton (loan). Won the Championship with Wolves in 2017/18. 10 England caps, 2020 to 2022.
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