London, Aug 11: Arsenal's veteran defender Tony Adams has ended speculation about his future by confirming his retirement from all football. Adams had been described by arsenal manager Arsene Wenger earlier this month as 'no longer a player' with the club, but had not yet formally announced his decision to hang up his boots permanently.
But in an extensive interview with the observer newspaper today, the 35-year-old former England international said he was ending his playing career in favour of a return to education.
"I am the person I am today because of football and I am grateful for that. But it has come at a mental, emotional and physical cost. It's time for a rest," Adams told the paper. The Centre-half said he is begin a three-year course in sports science in September, but did not rule out a return to football in some capacity.
"I wasn't ready for school as a kid. I only wanted to play football. Now I feel ready for education. After all the years of the physical stuff, I wanted something to stimulate me mentally," Adams said.
"It's 18 hours a week with a couple of lectures, a lot of course work and two exams a year. The first year is compulsory, basically shut up and listen. "In the second and third you specialise more. I'll probably be tapping on David Beckham's shoulder and asking to study how he bends his free-kicks."
Bureau Report