Ex-Real Madrid midfielder Guti retires

Ex-Real Madrid midfielder Guti retires

Published Sep. 21, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Former Real Madrid midfielder José María Gutiérrez Hernández, commonly known as Guti, announced his retirement from football on Friday.

The 35-year-old ex-Spain international, who made almost 400 first-team appearances in almost 25 years at the Bernabeu, has been without a club since leaving Besiktas in November.

Guti joined the Turkish club back in 2012 and helped lift the Turkish Cup in his first season at the club.

"The decision has been made," Guti said in statement on Marca.com. "I have received offers but I've decided to stop. I can now spend more time with my family.

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"I'm going to train to become a sporting director or a coach and I'd like to train youngsters.

"I'd really like to coach the Real Madrid youth team. That's my dream."

Guti made 13 international caps for Spain's national team, scoring a total of three goals.

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