Sports
Premier League players and managers bidding farewell on final day
As Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli once famously sung, “It’s time to say goodbye.”
The finale of every Premier League season always marks the curtain fall for certain players, managers and various other individuals and objects linked to the sport.
Tears will be shed, memories will be tapped into and tributes will be made up and down the country for the important servants for clubs.
From the high profiled exits such as Arsene Wenger stepping down from his 22-year post as Arsenal manager to Scott Arfield and Dean Marney’s quiet departures from Burnley.
Here we charter every thing to be waving farewell this weekend…
Arsene Wenger
The Frenchman announced he was stepping down as Arsenal’s manager after his 22-year tenure in north London.
Three Premier League trophies and seven FA Cups have glittered his stint at the Gunners, although the last couple of years of under achievement have sparked civil war at the Emirates.
Wenger’s last outing will be at Huddersfield, with his next movements, and indeed his replacement, yet to be decided.
Per Mertesacker
The big friendly German’s departure from the playing staff at the Gunners has been somewhat over shadowed by his manager’s exit.
Mertesacker is hanging up his boots after Sunday’s clash with Huddersfield, although last appearance might have come at the Emirates last week – where he played the last 13 minutes.
The World Cup winner has spent seven seasons at the club and will now move on to a role as head of academy at the Emirates.
Scott Arfield
The Canadian international was a major part of the Burnley’s promotions in 2014 and 2016.
But his contract is up in the summer and it is not getting renewed.
Arfield is all set to join Rangers this summer having made almost 200 appearances at Turf Moor.
Dean Marney
Like Arfield, Marney is out of contract at the end of the season and has not been offered a new deal.
Marney has been at Turf Moor for eight seasons, and also played his part in the two promotions to the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest looks like his likely switch.
Robert Huth
Three seasons ago, the German was a member of the most feared defences in the division, alongside Wes Morgan, winning the Premier League.
He hasn’t been able to play a first team match this season due to injury, while Harry Maguire has impressed in his place.
Originally signing on loan, Huth has played 93 times for the Foxes.
Nothing is set in stone over his future, as of writing, but Stoke are said to be interested.
Dean Whitehead
The midfielder is waving goodbye to his playing career to take up a coaching role for the under-17 side at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Having played over 100 times for Oxford, Sunderland and Stoke, he brought his dogged performances to Middlesbrough and then Terrier.
Whitehead has managed six appearances this season.
Yaya Toure
Toure may be leaving City after eight successful years but he has no intention of retiring and hopes to continue playing in England’s top flight.
He captained Pep Guardiola’s team on his final Etihad Stadium appearance on Wednesday before a heartfelt send-off from supporters.
The 34-year-old Ivorian has registered 78 goals in 314 Premier League games, winning three titles.
Michael Carrick
Winner of five Premier League medals and the Champions League, 36-year-old midfielder Carrick will retire from football at the end of the campaign.
The former West Ham and Tottenham man has spent 18 seasons playing in the top flight and is set to make his 481st Premier League appearance when United host Watford on Sunday at Old Trafford.
Leon Britton
Barring a final-day miracle, the Swans will be relegated – which should spell the end of Britton’s Premier League career.
The future of the 35-year-old, who has been a peripheral figure for the Welsh club during the past two seasons, remains uncertain.
His contract is set to expire at the end of the season and he has previously said he would like to finish his career at the Liberty Stadium.
Angel Rangel
Swansea’s captain Rangel will not be offered a new contract this summer and will depart south Wales.
The 35-year-old has been at the club for 11 years and played 373 times.
Carlos Carvalhal
Carvalhal was initially a breath of fresh air when he was appointed by the rock bottom Swans in late December.
However, an eight-game winless run has left the club on the brink of relegation with their only hope of survival an improbable goal difference swing.
The departure of the affable Portuguese, whose contract is set to expire, was announced on Thursday and it appears unlikely he will be back in the Premier League anytime soon.
Wembley
Tottenham began the season dreading their Wembley hoodoo but ended it enjoying life at English football HQ.
Winning 12 of their 18 league fixtures at Wembley, Mauricio Pochettino’s side end their tenure with a clash against Leicester.
Spurs will be moving back to north London to their currently unnamed new stadium.
John Motson
Veteran commentator ‘Motty’ has been described as the voice of football due to a broadcasting career spanning more than 50 years.
He became a Match of the Day regular in the early 1970s and his sounds have become synonymous with the Premier League since its inception in 1992.
He will finally put down his BBC microphone after reporting on Sunday’s clash between Crystal Palace and West Brom.
