Gary Patrick Breen (born 12 December 1973) is a former Association football, footballer who made more than 500 appearances in the Football League and Premier League. A centre back, played for numerous clubs over a 20-year career, including more than 100 appearances each for Coventry City F.C., Coventry City and Sunderland A.F.C., Sunderland. Born in England, he won 63 caps for the Republic of Ireland national football team, Republic of Ireland. He played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring in Ireland's 3–0 victory over Saudi Arabia national football team, Saudi Arabia.
Club career
Breen was born in Hendon, London, and began his professional career as a youth player at Charlton Athletic F.C., Charlton Athletic, but never made a first-team appearance for the club. Instead, he moved to Maidstone United F.C. (1897), Maidstone United where he played his first league game at age 17. After one full season with the club he joined Gillingham F.C., Gillingham where he eventually became a first-team regular, prompting a £70,000 bid from Peterborough United F.C., Peterborough United.
[ Where Are They Now? – Gary Breen, Pundit Arena ]
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He only had one full season at Peterborough United, but did well enough to draw attention from Football League First Division, First Division Birmingham City F.C., Birmingham City, who paid £250,000 for him in February 1996. Less than 12 months after arriving at Birmingham, he was on the move again, to Premier League Coventry City F.C., Coventry City in a £2.5 million deal. He played for five full seasons at Highfield Road (stadium), Highfield Road, four in the top flight.[
Following the 2002 World Cup, Breen was signed on a free transfer by West Ham United F.C., West Ham United by manager Glenn Roeder, but left the club after relegation from the top flight and only 18 appearances in all competitions.][
Breen was subsequently signed by Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers in a two-year deal, reuniting him again with McCarthy. He played almost all the club's games as they reached the play-offs in his first season at Molineux Stadium, Molineux, scoring once, against Luton Town F.C., Luton Town.
He was made Wolves' club captain for the 2007–08 in English football, 2007–08 season, but ended up missing several months through injury. He was involved in an after-match confrontation with his manager in March 2008.
In December 2008, he joined Barnet F.C., Barnet as a player-coach. In July 2009 Breen signed a new contract to become player/assistant manager at the club.
On the ''Goals on Sunday'' programme on 6 September 2009, Breen revealed that he had agreed to move to F.C. Internazionale Milano, Inter Milan after the 2002 World Cup, but failed a medical. Breen had also been linked with a move to FC Barcelona, Barcelona. Breen left Barnet in June 2010.
Breen was appointed first-team coach of Peterborough United in June 2013.
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International career
Breen's form at Birmingham won him a call-up to the Republic of Ireland national football team, Republic of Ireland national team. On 29 May 1996, he made his debut when he replaced Alan Kernaghan in the 88th minute of the 1–0 Exhibition game#International football, friendly defeat against Portugal national football team, Portugal at Lansdowne Road. Three days later, Breen made his first start in the 2–2 friendly draw with Croatia national football team, Croatia, he played 74 minutes before being replaced by Tony Cascarino. He scored his first goal for his country two days later, he opened the scoring in the 3–1 defeat to the Netherlands national football team, Netherlands at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
Breen's form at Coventry cemented his place in his national side and he played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup as Ireland made the 2002 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Spain vs Republic of Ireland, second round under Mick McCarthy. He scored in Ireland's 3–0 2002 FIFA World Cup Group E, group win against Saudi Arabia national football team, Saudi Arabia.
See also
* List of Republic of Ireland international footballers born outside the Republic of Ireland
References
External links
*
Profile
a
UpThePosh! The Peterborough United Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Breen, Gary
1973 births
Living people
Footballers from Hendon
English footballers
Association football defenders
Republic of Ireland international footballers
Republic of Ireland under-21 international footballers
2002 FIFA World Cup players
Charlton Athletic F.C. players
Maidstone United F.C. (1897) players
Gillingham F.C. players
Peterborough United F.C. players
Birmingham City F.C. players
Coventry City F.C. players
West Ham United F.C. players
Sunderland A.F.C. players
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
Barnet F.C. players
English Football League players
Premier League players
Barnet F.C. non-playing staff
Peterborough United F.C. non-playing staff
English people of Irish descent
Republic of Ireland association footballers