Leighton Baines has announced his surprise decision to retire from professional football, after Everton's Premier League campaign ended with a home defeat to Bournemouth today.
The 3-1 loss wasn't enough to keep Bournemouth in the Premier League, while it means the Toffees finish in 12th, their worst league finish since 2004.
The 35-year-old Baines was out of contract at the end of this campaign, and he has decided not to take the club up on the offer of a 12-month extension.
— Everton (@Everton) July 26, 2020
The English international came off the bench to play 20 minutes in today's defeat, his 420th appearance having joined from Wigan Athletic 13 years ago.
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti said after today's game he hopes Baines will consider taking up a non-playing role at the club.
"I found a fantastic player and a fantastic professional [when I started working with Baines].
"I asked him to continue but he decided to stop and we have a lot of respect for his decision.
"I think every Evertonian has to be grateful to him. He had a fantastic career here and was a fantastic example for all his teammates.
"We have time to think with him about a new role. We would like to know what he wants to do in future.
Congratulations Leighton Baines 💙💯 Amazing career and pleasure to have shared the pitch with you my man. #assistking #bluefamily only pics I could find was us celebrating goals 🥊⚽️🤣 pic.twitter.com/n5q3CLsEuM
— Tim Cahill AO (@Tim_Cahill) July 26, 2020
"The fact he can stay with us can be a good opportunity for us to use his knowledge and experience. And [a good opportunity] for his future.
"He was important in this six months [after I arrived]. Not only as a professional, he is still a good left-back. But he decided [to finish] so we have to respect this.
"In the next days he has to make a decision [about the potential new position]."
Baines ends his playing career third on Everton's all-time Premier League appearance list, and with 39 goals to his name. He was also capped 30 times by England, and lined out at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
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