Defender Unsworth hangs up boots

Former Everton defender David Unsworth has announced his retirement from professional football and is hoping to move into coaching.

Huddersfield released the ex-England player, 35, last week after he had made just five appearances this season.

"I have a burning aspiration to coach and to manage. My decision to finish now is something I haven't taken lightly," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It's something I nearly did at the start of last season."

Unsworth added: "Now I feel is the time to finish that side of my career and go on and start the next chapter of what hopefully is a new career in the coaching and management side."

Unsworth had two spells at Everton, which included their FA Cup triumph in 1995. He also had stays at West Ham, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Ipswich, Sheffield United, Wigan, Burnley and the Terriers.

He says he considered moving into the dug-out during the close-season.

"It's something I nearly did at the start of last season," he said.

"Hopefully in the summer months I'll get an opportunity somewhere in the game. I'm looking forward to it"
David Unsworth

"Owen Coyle at Burnley was very generous and offered me a player-coach role there and I thought long and hard about it.

"Having played numerous games that year, and taking advice, I gave it one more year," said Unsworth.

The one-cap wonder says he is now focusing on getting his coaching qualifications.

"I've done most of the coaching courses and I have one more to do at the end of May so that'll be me fully qualified.

"Hopefully in the summer months I'll get an opportunity somewhere in the game. I'm looking forward to it," added Unsworth.

Unsworth still follows Everton closely and he is hoping David Moyes' side can follow in his footsteps and win this seasons' FA Cup.

"Hopefully we can get to the final as it has been too long for a club like Everton not to be competing in finals.

"I'm a fan and as fans we hope we can get to that final," said Unsworth.

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