Dunne retires from Republic duty

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne has retired from international duty after winning 80 caps.

Dunne, 34, made his debut for the national side against Greece in 2000 and won his final cap in a friendly against Kazakhstan in October.

“Retiring from international football has been an extremely difficult decision,” said QPR centre-back Dunne.

“Richard is truly a player for Ireland to be proud of”

John Delaney FAI chief executive Republic manager Martin O’Neill hailed Dunne as a “remarkable player for both club and country”.

The former Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa player represented Ireland at two major championships – the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2012 – and scored eight goals for his country in total.

“I have represented Ireland since I was 15 years of age, and have thoroughly enjoyed all the highs and lows that have come with playing for my country,” Dunne added.

“I will continue to support the team as they embark upon their new campaign under Martin O’Neill, and have every faith that they will qualify for France 2016.”

Dunne’s focus will now be on QPR as they prepare for life back in the Premier League, and O’Neill added: “I had the pleasure of working with him at Aston Villa, where he had a big influence on the field.

Dunne was ever-present in the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign and faced eventual champions Spain in the group stage

“He has consistently given 100% every time he has been called on by his country also. I wish him all the best in his club career.”

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney added: “Richard has been a tremendous servant to his country, and is truly a player for Ireland to be proud of.”

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Ex-Villa defender Mellberg retires

Former Aston Villa defender and Sweden international Olof Mellberg has retired after an 18-year career.

The 36-year-old won league titles at AIK Stockholm and Olympiakos and also represented Racing Santander, Juventus, Villarreal and FC Copenhagen.

Mellberg said: “Today I ended my contract with FC Copenhagen, which will be the last in my football career.”

The centre-back was capped 117 times for his country before retiring from international football after Euro 2012.

He spent seven years with Villa, making 263 appearances, before leaving for Juventus in 2008.

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Veteran striker Kitson retires

Oxford United striker Dave Kitson has announced his retirement from football.

The 34-year-old began his career at Cambridge United and went on to have spells at Reading, Stoke, Portsmouth and Sheffield United.

Arguably the most successful period of Kitson’s career came at the Madejski Stadium, where he scored 60 goals in 144 appearances and won the Championship title in 2006.

That form prompted Premier League Stoke to pay £5.5m for the forward in 2008.

But Kitson failed to make an impression at the Britannia, scoring just five goals in 40 appearances and spending time on loan back at the Royals and at Middlesbrough.

He went on to join Portsmouth in 2010 and, following a year-long stint with Sheffield United, the Hitchen-born frontman signed for Oxford on a two-year deal last summer and scored four goals in 36 games.

“We respect that decision and wish Dave all the best for the future,” said Oxford United boss Michael Appleton, who also worked with him at Pompey.

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Hitzfeld retires from football

Ottmar Hitzfeld consoles his players after a defeat to Argentina that will be his last game in football

Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has retired following his side’s elimination from the World Cup.

Regarded as one of the most successful managers in the game, the 65-year-old has won 18 major titles, including Champions League successes with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

“My job as a coach has finished,” he said. “I’m proud of my career.”

Hitzfeld will now work as a television pundit, and he joked: “I don’t lose when I work on TV.”

Swiss Championship (2), Swiss Cup (2), Swiss Super Cup

Bundesliga (2), Champions League

Bundesliga (5), Champions League, Intercontinental Cup

Group stage 2010 World Cup, last 16 2014 World Cup

Switzerland were beaten in extra time by Argentina in their last-16 tie on Tuesday and Hitzfeld, who retires with the Swiss ranked sixth in the most up-to-date Fifa world rankings, said he will leave the game with many fond memories.

“I’ve had some marvellous teams,” he said. “Every moment in football sticks in your memory. It’s been a great honour and I have a heart full of emotion.”

Hitzfeld retires with a glittering CV and was hugely respected by fellow managers, with Sir Alex Ferguson among his admirers.

The pair’s most famous meeting was in the 1999 Champions League final when Ferguson’s Manchester United team snatched the trophy from Hitzfeld’s Bayern Munich with two late goals.

The German played as a striker during the 1970s and 80s for clubs including Basel and Stuttgart before moving into management. He enjoyed most of his success at Dortmund and Munich.

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