Paul Gascoigne has voluntarily made a decision which will probably mean the end of his playing career when he cut short his stay with English Coca-Cola League Two outfit Boston United.
The 37-year-old left the Lincolnshire outfit after two months as player-coach with the club and is now set to begin a coaching course with the view to becoming a manager.
Although Gascoigne has not officially hung up his boots, there would seem to be no prospect of him playing league football again.
Gascoigne won 57 England caps and starred for Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton during a career which was blighted by injury.
"I've left Boston United Football Club. I've left on professional terms. I just think I needed to extend my career on the coaching side," Gazza said.
"I've shaken hands with the gaffer and I've shaken hands with the chairman, and said bye-bye to the lads.
"I think it's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make in my professional career so far. I've done it for professional reasons.
Gascoigne is to work under former Liverpool coach Sammy Lee, who recently took up a full-time role with the English FA.
He added: "The reason why I want to leave isn't about bad feelings with the club or any bad feelings with me, it's for professional reasons and I hope they understand that.
"On the playing side, I can still play a bit, there's no problem with that.
"But I want to be a top coach and I'll be speaking to the top coaches around the country and learning a lot more about my badge and management."
Boston manager Steve Evans has revealed at least two clubs want to recruit Gascoigne. "I know already there are two or three clubs desperately keen on him," said Evans.
"I'm disappointed but privileged to have had the opportunity to work with one of the true legends of the British game," Evans added.
"But ever since Paul came into the club he's done nothing but talk about getting into the coaching side of things and he just feels now is the time to move on and head down that direction."
