Yahoo News Former Cherries favourite Gosling retires to take up coaching role
DAN Gosling has brought to an end his professional football career.
The 34-year-old became much loved by Cherries fans during his stint on the south coast, where he made 192 appearances, between 2014 and 2021.
Gosling helped the club clinch promotion from the Championship in his first season, before spending five years with them in the Premier League.
After falling down the pecking order following relegation, the midfielder reluctantly departed to join Watford and prolong his career.
He achieved promotion with the Hornets, before injury curtailed his time there last summer.
A brief stint followed with Notts County last season, his final professional match coming in a 5-0 League Two win over Morecambe in December 2023.
The Brixham-born talent began his career at Plymouth Argyle, before spending time at Everton, Newcastle United and Blackpool, before joining Cherries.
Across his career, former England under-21 international Gosling made more than 300 appearances.
He netted 22 goals for Cherries, including a famous winner against Chelsea in December 2019, also scoring in the Premier League to earn points against the likes of Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton.
Gosling's final Cherries goals came with a brace to earn a 3-1 win away at Coventry City in the Championship in October 2020.
Taking to Instagram, Gosling wrote: “The end of an amazing chapter in my life!
“So grateful for all the experiences I have shared with so many great players/coaches/people along the way!
“Thank you to everyone that has helped me throughout my career!”
Earlier this year, Gosling had not quite given up hope of reviving his playing career.
He said: “Until that last flame is extinguished, I still feel I can do a good job for someone.
“I just hope there’s somebody out there who might be able to use a box-to-box midfielder.”
But he has now called it a day, taking up a coaching role in Watford’s academy.
Gosling had been doing some work there in recent months and has now been hired on a full-time basis.
He will work as under-21 assistant manager to boss and former Cherries teammate Charlie Daniels.
Hornets academy director Richard Johnson said: “We’ve supported Dan through his A Licence and he did a bit of coaching with us during the season that’s just finished, so it’s brilliant to have him back.
“He’s made the decision to retire and get involved with coaching full-time, so it’s a great coup for us.
“He’s played at the club and he understands the club, and we’re very lucky to have him.”
A host of former Cherries stars have reacted to the news via social media, Marc Pugh saying it was a "pleasure" to play alongside Gosling, while Jack Stacey congratulated him on "a top career" and Jack Wilshere added "here if you need anything".
