Tom Huddlestone announced that he has departed Manchester United after spending two seasons in a player-coach role with the Under-21s.
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Huddlestone leaves Man UtdJoined in 2022 in a player-coach capacityMade a few appearances in Premier League 2WHAT HAPPENED?
Huddlestone, 37, arrived at Old Trafford in 2022 and stepped into a dual role, succeeding his former Hull City teammate Paul McShane. Over the two-year period, he made 24 appearances, bringing his wealth of experience to United's promising young talents.
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Huddlestone's football journey began at Derby County, where he made his senior debut at just 16 years old in 2003. He quickly made a name for himself, earning 95 appearances for the Rams before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 2005. His eight-year stint in North London was highlighted by a League Cup victory in 2008 and four caps for the England national team. After his successful period at Tottenham, Huddlestone returned to Hull City, where he had two separate spells, and later returned to Derby County before joining Manchester United.
WHAT HUDDLESTONE SAID
Huddlestone put out a statement on social media that read: "Today marks my final days at this incredible football club. Over the past two seasons, I have experienced remarkable growth and invaluable learning, both on and off the pitch. Every day, I have had the privilege of learning from amazing people, gaining insights into all aspects of player development and well-being. Entering an office environment for the first time was daunting, but from day one, I was made to feel welcome and at ease. I am and will remain forever grateful for the smooth transition. For any senior professionals considering a coaching career, I highly recommend taking on a 'playing coach' role for a season or two at the end of your playing career.
"This experience has been eye-opening, revealing the dedication involved in planning, executing, and analysing every training session, as well as meticulously preparing for the games schedule. These efforts are often taken for granted as a player, so witnessing and participating in this side of the game has been truly remarkable. I wish the club every success in the future. Special thanks to everyone in the academy, both players and staff, especially Trav, Demps, Nick and Macca, for affording me this incredible opportunity. Best of luck in the future."
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Huddlestone scored his only goal in Premier League 2 this campaign against Manchester City in a 2-1 win. As he leaves United, it remains uncertain whether Huddlestone will retire from football at the age of 37 to focus solely on coaching.