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Hull City caretaker boss Nick Barmby has announced his retirement from playing as he prepares to become the club's permanent manager.

The 37-year-old is expected to announce he is taking over on a full-time basis at the KC Stadium over the weekend.

Barmby made nearly 600 appearances in a 20-year career that began at Tottenham.

"I am giving up my football career, which on my side I'm gutted about because I still love playing," he told the .

"I've wanted to be out there but that's got to end. That was a big decision for me and probably the biggest.

"But to manage this club, I will do my very best and work as hard as possible."

Barmby took over at Hull in November after .

And he has maintained their push for promotion with the Tigers currently sitting in the final play-off position.

The former England international made his 584th and final appearance in Hull's in October, scoring a late winner.

Barmby added: "I just hope people don't give me too much stick if it goes wrong.

"If I had the chant 'You don't know what you're doing!' I'd be gutted to be honest.

"But we'll definitely give it our best shot."

Barmby made 110 appearances for Spurs and earned his first England cap during his time at White Hart Lane as a 21-year-old substitute in a 0-0 draw with Uruguay.

He then had spells at Middlesbrough, Everton, Liverpool and Leeds before joining Hull, his hometown club, in 2004.