Former Manchester United hero John O’Shea is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season with his Sunderland side in the Championship drop zone.
After five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a Champions League and 116 Republic of Ireland caps, John O’Shea is set to bring his professional football career to an end in just two months’ time, according to The Times.
Unfortunately for the 36-year-old, however, he will hardly be bowing out on a high. As it stands, his Sunderland side are in the Championship drop-zone and are heading for the third tier for the first time in half a decade – unless they can quickly build on Friday’s impressive 4-1 victory at Derby..
O’Shea might be one of the few leaders and genuine role models in a challenged Sunderland side over the last few years, but the harsh fact is that his legs seemingly started to go a number of years ago.
He hasn’t played more than 30 league games in a season for Sunderland since 2013/14 and, while his influence and character might be missed off the pitch, Black Cats fans won’t be too disappointed by the fact that they are soon to see the last of John O’Shea the centre-back.
The club needs a new start and it seems that they are turning towards youth as they look to the next generation. The likes of Ethan Robson, George Honeyman, Josh Maja and Joel Asoro are being tipped to be key players at Sunderland next season. The era of O’Shea, however, is over.
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