Sunderland legend midfielder Lee Cattermole retires from football aged 32

The end of an era

Lee Cattermole has retired from football aged 32. The midfielder has called time on a career that lasted 15 years, four clubs and countless slide tackles. The former Wigan, Middlesbrough Sunderland and - lest we forget - VVV Venlo midfielder is now going to concentrate on coaching. https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/1294256514342019072?s=20 “With the current situation, the amount of time I have had at home, and a great season in Holland, the time is right for me to look into going down the coaching route," Cattermole said. “Ordinarily I don’t think it would have been this year, my aim would have been to play two more seasons. Given how long it was since I last played, the more time I have been away from playing, the more I have thought about the game and getting on the training pitch. “It was a difficult decision. If the season hadn’t finished like it did in May then things might not have been like this, but I think this is right." Throughout Cattermole's career, he was branded as an old-fashioned type of player. One of the last of a dying breed. He was even nicknamed Clattermole, in honour of his aggressive tackles.  And while some of that is fair - he never shirked a challenge and played with an endearing passion - it is perhaps downplaying his ability. Cattermole could pass a football. You don't play 12 consecutive seasons in the Premier League if you can't. Perhaps the fact that he stuck with Sunderland as they were relegated, twice, amid farcical financial circumstances that has counted against him. Also, the the fact that he always tucked his shirt in to his shorts. As football evolves, coaches looked for more creative, more exotic, more fashionable midfielders. But a player who remained a constant presence at the top level for over a decade deserves recognition for that is an impressive feat in itself. Happy retirement, Catts. You can walk away with your shorts held high.