England manager Roy Hodgson has paid tribute to retiring "model professional" Jamie Carragher - and backed the Liverpool defender to join him among the coaching ranks soon.
The 35-year-old will call time on a 16-year professional career at the end of the season but Hodgson does not expect the centre-back to be lost to football.
"Having worked with Jamie Carragher, it was always evident that he was a model professional who gave everything he had for club and country," said the England boss, who had a brief spell at Anfield in 2010.
"He has had a fantastic career and will always be looked on very fondly by everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club.
"It was good to see him back in the team recently. I hope that between now and the end of the season he is able to add to his great total of appearances for the club.
"After retirement, I am sure he will march quickly up the coaching ladder and become one of the country's top young coaches."
Carragher won two FA Cups, three League Cups, a UEFA Cup and Champions League, and played for England at Under-20, Under-21 and B level before winning 38 caps for the senior team.
After coming out of international retirement, Carragher was selected for the last World Cup and made his final international appearance in a 0-0 draw against Algeria.
