Butler to retire next year

Republic of Ireland Under-15 and Under-16 manager Vincent Butler has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2008-09 international season.

Butler is to continue as Under-16 manager until May 2009 and will assist his replacement who is set to take over the Under-15 side after next month's international tournament with Northern Ireland and Wales in Belfast

 "I'm making the announcement now because I think it is very important to have smooth transition between myself and my successor. I probably could have gone one for a few more years but I feel it is important to leave at this stage and not at a point when I am not doing the job properly," said Butler.

Having managed the side for four years in the 1970s and 1980s, Butler returned in 1996 and has been in charge of the Under-15s and Under-16s for the last 12 years during which he has seen 18 players go on to become full internationals while 68 have been capped at Under-21 level.