Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Dean Kiely’s career looks to be over
Friday 17th June 2011, 2:30PM BST.
Dean Kiely’s playing career looks to be over after Albion opted not to extend his contract.
The Baggies goalkeeping coach will stay on at the Hawthorns in his backroom role, but the club have told him he will not be registered as a player next season.
The 40-year-old has not officially retired and could still accept a playing role elsewhere should he part company with Albion.
But that appears unlikely with the Baggies committed to helping the former Republic of Ireland international launch his coaching career, meaning Kiely has probably played his last professional match.
Last season, Kiely combined his coaching role with a player’s registration and made one appearance, as an unused substitute in the Black Country derby against Wolves at the Hawthorns.
News of his exit from the playing ranks adds intrigue to Albion’s hunt for new goalkeepers this summer, with Scott Carson likely to move on.
That would leave the club hunting two new goalkeepers or even three should Boaz Myhill, who was dropped after boss Roy Hodgson’s arrival in February, also leave.
Former Albion goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and Manchester City’s Shay Given are both potential targets while Preston’s Andy Lonergan, who Albion bid for unsuccessfully a year ago, could be looked at again.
Albion could find finances block any move for Given. It is understood City are unwilling to subsidise any loan for Given, who will cost around £3.5million to buy and earns around £80,000 a week.
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