Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul recently announced his retirement from professional football after a 25-year career.
After suffering a second successive relegation with Luton Town last season, the Dutchman was at a crossroads in his career. Did he want to take on another challenge at a new club, or was it time to call it a day?
Tim Krul is regarded as a hero on Tyneside for his performances while at Newcastle United between 2006 and 2017. Some will argue that if it were not for Krul between the sticks during the 2010s, the Magpies may have suffered relegation much earlier than they did.
Now 37, Krul has called it a day on his career, sharing an emotional post on social media reflecting on his impressive 25-year run. In a recent interview, Krul jokingly offered his services to Manchester United during their goalkeeper problems, but now it has been confirmed that he has hung up his gloves for the next chapter of his life.
In a recent interview, Krul hinted at a shock return to Tyneside in a different capacity following his retirement.
- READ MORE – Chris Sutton highlights key issue as he predicts the winner of Newcastle United vs Arsenal
Tim Krul hints at joining Newcastle United’s backroom staff after retirement
Krul failed to make a single league appearance for Luton between 2023 and 2025, with the Dutchman acting as a backup during their seasons in the Premier League and Championship. However, he made six appearances in the cup competitions during the 2023/24 season.
Perhaps Krul was aware that his playing career was coming to an end, as evidenced by his statement in an interview with Dutch outlet NOS, in which he mentioned taking a technical director course in preparation for his retirement.
“I had to hand in projects, give presentations and sit in class again,” he said.
“It was fun, but completely outside my comfort zone.”
On his offers to stay in football: “I had calls from the Netherlands and also from a bit further away, but I wanted to stay in England, Krul added.
“That wasn’t possible. Sometimes you have to make the cut yourself.
On a potential return to Newcastle, he said: “It’s still a great club, eleven years at Newcastle is quite something. Those would be great things, but we’ll see where I go in the coming years.”
- Newcastle United confirmed signings 2025: Ins, outs, loans and releases in summer transfer window
Tim Krul would have been very useful for Newcastle United this season
Newcastle are back in the Champions League this season thanks to their brilliant 2024/25 campaign. The Magpies have already played once in the competition, losing to Barcelona after a stunning brace from Marcus Rashford.
Eddie Howe was able to register a strong squad for the Champions League, even though he had to leave out the likes of Harrison Ashby, Jamaal Lascelles and John Ruddy. In the meantime, Krul could have been a very handy asset to have this season.
Krul counts as a ‘club-trained’ player for Newcastle due to his academy upbringing. The shot-stopper joined as a 17-year-old and stayed long enough to receive the classification.
Reports during the summer transfer window suggested that Krul, Fraser Forster and Jak Alnwick were on Newcastle’s radar, but Howe opted to sign Aaron Ramsdale instead.
It has been a fine innings from Krul, who established himself as a top goalkeeper at multiple clubs during his career.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
