Tim Howard to retire after current deal









Tim Howard's new contract will be his last.



The longtime U.S. national team goalkeeper, who last week signed a two-year extension with Everton that will take him past his 39th birthday, says there is no chance he will play professionally into his forties -- despite Toffees manager Roberto Martinez's belief that he is capable.



"He is a fit man and at the peak of his powers," Martinez said when the deal, which runs through the 2017-18 English Premier League season, was announced on April 17. "I know he will play on beyond 40."



Not so, according to Howard.



"I'll be on a beach somewhere when I'm 40," Howard told ESPNFC.com in a phone interview on Friday. "I would pretty much take that to the bank that I won't be playing past 40. There are other things I want to achieve in life, other things that I want to do."



Howard has spoken often about his desire to move into a front office role -- either in England or in MLS -- after his playing days are over. Television work could be another option; he's already provided color commentary on several of NBC's Premier League broadcasts this season.



But Howard has also expressed a desire to finish his career where it started. He left MLS in 2003 when he was transferred from the MetroStars -- now the New York Red Bulls -- to Manchester United. His new pact with Everton all but ended those ambitions.



"Up until last week it was a possibility," Howard said. "But I think that ship has sailed for me now. I think MLS had its chance, if I'm being honest, but now I'll finish my career with Everton and be a happy man."



Howard is expected to man the U.S. nets at his third World Cup this summer in Brazil. He originally joined Everton in 2006 on loan from United, securing a permanent transfer the following year.



His first seven years at Everton were spent under manager David Moyes.



Moyes, who replaced the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United before this season, was fired on Tuesday, two days after losing to his former team at Goodison Park. The win kept Everton in the hunt for a Champions League spot, but Howard admitted to mixed emotions after learning Moyes had been sacked.



"I was disappointed because I love the man," Howard said. "He was brilliant to me and for me. He was brilliant for the club that I love, so you feel for him.



"I think there's a lot of things that need fixing at Manchester United apart from David Moyes, but in this business you also realize the head coach is always going to be the first to go, unfortunately. But he'll survive, he'll move on, and I think he'll be brilliant. We'll all see that in due time."