Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell has revealed that veteran Mark Kennedy is likely to retire in the summer and move into coaching.
Ex-Republic of Ireland international has been hampered by injuries
Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell has revealed that Mark Kennedy is set to retire in the summer and move into coaching.
The 35-year-old looks likely to announce that he is hanging up his boots at the end of the current season, though he intends to stay in the game of football.
Kennedy - who arrived at Portman Road from Championship rivals Cardiff back in 2010 - has not played in the first team since November due to injuries.
"Mark's got good potential to be a coach and has good knowledge of the game," said Jewell.
"We have brought him to our side and hopefully in the summer he can do coaching full-time. He's a player-coach as such and this gives him a head start."
Kennedy began his professional career at Millwall before enjoying spells at Liverpool, Wimbledon, Manchester City, Wolverhampton and Crystal Palace.
Jewell has advised the former Republic of Ireland international, who won 34 caps for his country, not to consider combining the jobs of playing and coaching.
"I think that's probably going to happen," he added.
"I don't think player-coaches work. I actually think it's an impossible situation for a player.
"We're just giving him an insight into it with a view to making it permanent in the summer.
"Hopefully the younger players coming through he can help with his experience."
