Sir Bobby set for reluctant retirement

When the final whistle blows on the Republic of Ireland's UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, it is also likely to signal the end of one of football's longest careers, with Sir Bobby Robson retiring after almost 60 years in the game.

Health problems
The 74-year-old former England manager has been working as Ireland's international football consultant since January 2006, when he was appointed to work alongside Stephen Staunton. Although the latter was dismissed as manager last month following the Republic's failure to qualify from Group D, and Sir Bobby stayed on, health problems mean he will stand down after the Wales match. "The day I signed I was a very fit, powerful man and I had all my faculties," Sir Bobby said. "I felt like Tarzan and I knew I could get on to the pitch. I could help best by being on the pitch with the players but my health took a downturn."

Illustrious career
Sir Bobby's distinguished career began with Fulham FC in 1950, and he went on to make almost 350 appearances for the club in two spells either side of a six-year stay with West Bromwich Albion FC. He also won 20 caps for England, appearing in the 1958 FIFA World Cup but missing the tournament four years later with an ankle injury. He then became Fulham manager in 1968 but really made his name at Ipswich Town FC, whom he managed for 13 years, landing the English FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup three years later.

European glory
Sir Bobby left Portman Road in 1982 to become England boss and he guided the national side to the World Cup quarter-finals in 1986 and the UEFA European Championship two years later. However, his finest hour came in 1990 when England came within a penalty shoot-out of reaching the World Cup final, losing to eventual winners West Germany in Turin. He subsequently had spells in charge of PSV Eindhoven – winning two Eredivisie titles – Sporting Clube de Portugal, FC Porto – adding two more championships – and FC Barcelona, whom he steered to the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup in 1996/97, his sole Camp Nou campaign.

'Knowledge and enthusiasm'
He returned to England in September 1999, taking the helm at Newcastle United FC, the club he had always supported. He was sacked in 2004 and believes ill-health will prevent him taking any further positions. "For the last two years I've enjoyed it and wish I could have done more," said Sir Bobby, who was knighted in 2002. "Staunton worked hard and did his best and I wanted to honour my contract and go to Cardiff for the last match. [My future plans] depend on my health. I've still got knowledge and enthusiasm but chances are I'll never get back on to the pitch again."