Retiring star rues not winning a league title.
Retiring Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has outlined his regrets over his decorated and successful playing career in The Telegraph.
The 35-year-old will draw the curtain on a glittering 16-year career that has seen him pick up one Champions League, a Uefa Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups, but crucially, no league title.
And he outlined his disappointment at never picking one up, but also took time to reflect on what a successful career he’s had anyway.
“I’ve never won the league, that’s a disappointment,” he said. “I wish I had won the league.”
“It’s very simple. We weren’t good enough. There’s no fancy reason or excuse. The teams were better than us. A couple of times we were close, but Arsenal and Man United were better than us. If you look at everyone there’s always something somebody hasn’t done, there’s always more that could be achieved no matter what you’ve done.”
“The highlight of my career is Istanbul. Nothing will beat that, will it? We all know what happened that night and it’s difficult to ever top that.”
Carragher will bow out after this weekend’s season closer against QPR and has admitted that he’s not been tempted to reverse the decision.
“People keep asking me how I am feeling but I suppose the answer will come after the game. I am just concentrating on that, hopefully getting a win and then I can look back at it and give a better answer.”
“I’ve not reconsidered it. I’ve had a few chats with the manager since making my decision, more about the season than anything else.”
“But the more I’ve been in the team, the more I’ve wanted to stick with my decision and go out playing.”
“I have been fortunate that since the announcement I’ve got myself back in the team. It’s better than staying another year and maybe being in the stand or on the bench.”
“I was thinking about retirement last summer. I had a year to go and a new manager coming in. I knew then. I always knew it was going to be my last season.”