Hubbry Logo
Richard DunneRichard DunneMain
Open search
Richard Dunne
Community hub
Richard Dunne
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Richard Patrick Dunne (born 21 September 1979) is an Irish former professional footballer and current television pundit for TNT Sports, who played as a centre-back. He made 432 Premier League appearances, including 253 for Manchester City.

Key Information

Dunne began his professional career at Everton. He later spent nearly a decade at Manchester City before joining Aston Villa in 2009. In July 2013, he signed for Queens Park Rangers. He has also played internationally for the Republic of Ireland from 2000 until 2014. With Ireland he was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad and played in UEFA Euro 2012. Dunne announced his retirement from football in November 2015 after being released by Queens Park Rangers. He is employed as a youth coach in Manchester City's academy.[3]

Dunne holds the joint Premier League record of being sent off – eight times along with Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson.[4] He also holds the Premier League record of scoring ten own goals.

Club career

[edit]

Everton

[edit]

Having played schoolboy football in Dublin for Home Farm, Dunne joined Everton as a 15-year-old schoolboy in the 1994–95 season. The next season, he started to play for Everton reserves and in early 1997, Dunne signed a 5-year professional contract. He was part of the successful 1998 FA Youth Cup squad along with Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman.

Dunne made his debut under then manager Joe Royle in 1997, at the age of seventeen. Under Walter Smith, however, he was often used out of position at right back, and was punished by Smith for two separate disciplinary incidents. Wimbledon reportedly had a bid accepted for Dunne, only for it to fall through, and Dunne stayed at Everton for another year, again usually filling in at right back.[5]

Manchester City

[edit]
Dunne captaining Manchester City in 2008 against Manchester United in a local derby.

In the autumn of 2000, Dunne was signed by Manchester City for a fee of £3.5 million, rejoining his former manager Joe Royle.[6] City had signed both Dunne and Laurent Charvet as replacements for right back Richard Edghill who had suffered from a dip in form.

It was in the centre of defence where Dunne made his biggest impact on the team. Dunne had various partners in the centre of defence in his first season at the club and for a few games he played in a three-man defence with Andy Morrison and Steve Howey. His first season saw City relegated into the First Division and acquire the services of a new manager, Kevin Keegan. Manchester City made an instant return to the Premier League, finishing the 2001–02 season as First Division champions. Disciplinary problems in 2003 resulted in a club suspension, and his time at Manchester City looked to be over. However, Dunne returned to the first team following an intensive fitness programme, and within a few months gained an international recall.

A number of consistent performances resulted in Dunne receiving Manchester City's Player of the Year award for 2004–05, which he also won in the 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, becoming the first player to win City's PotY award four times. In the 2006 close season, at the age of 26, Dunne was appointed club captain, taking over from Sylvain Distin, amidst rumours of Distin leaving City.[7]

On 18 January 2007, Manchester City teammate Micah Richards said: "Ever since I've come to this club Richard has just been quality. I play with him week in, week out and I think he's one of the best players I've played with. I've played with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in the England squad but Richard is right up there with them."[8]

On 4 July 2008, Dunne signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City to keep him at the club until 2012.[9]

In August 2008, Garry Cook, chief executive of City, said "China and India are gagging for football content to watch and we're going to tell them that City is their content. We need a superstar to get through that door. Richard Dunne doesn't roll off the tongue in Beijing."[10]

Dunne continued to play throughout 2008–09 making 47 starts in all competitions despite three red cards. He marked his 29th Birthday with a goal in the 6–0 win against Portsmouth on 21 September 2008,[11] while his eighth Premier League red card against Wigan Athletic in January 2009 equalled a record set by Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson.[12]

Aston Villa

[edit]

Following the signings of Kolo Touré and Joleon Lescott, it was reported that Dunne could leave the City of Manchester Stadium with Aston Villa the most likely destination. Villa confirmed on 27 August 2009, that they had agreed a fee with Manchester City for the defender.[13] Aston Villa filed the paperwork for the deal before the close of the transfer window but the Premier League announced that the deal could not be "ratified" until 2 September 2009,[14] when the deal was completed.[15] Villa manager Martin O'Neill later stated the fee paid for Dunne was £5 million and that the player had signed a four-year deal.

Dunne made his debut in a 1–0 win over Birmingham City at St. Andrew's, courtesy of an 85th-minute strike from Gabriel Agbonlahor. Following the game, Dunne praised his new teammates James Collins, Carlos Cuéllar and Stephen Warnock, claiming that their partnership in defence "seems to have worked reasonably well".

On 5 October 2009, Dunne scored his first goal for Villa, coincidentally against his former club Manchester City, in a 1–1 draw.[16] He was applauded by Manchester City fans for his respect in refusing to celebrate his goal.[17] He netted his second goal later that month in the team's 2–1 home victory over Chelsea. On 28 February 2010, he started for Aston Villa in their 2010 Football League Cup Final defeat to Manchester United at Wembley Stadium. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2009–10 season.

On 11 December 2010, Dunne was dropped from the team and replaced by Carlos Cuéllar. Dunne was recalled to the starting line up in the away game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which Villa ended up drawing 3–3.

On 18 March 2011, Dunne and Collins were fined a total of £200,000 – two weeks' wages each – by Villa for a drunken confrontation with club staff during a team-bonding exercise.[18]

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Dunne made 35 appearances in all competitions for Villa.

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, new manager Alex McLeish said because of his aerial ability and such good awareness on the ball he will be an automatic first choice at the back. On 27 July 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the 2011 Premier League Asia Trophy held in Hong Kong. On 30 July 2011, he started the final with Chelsea and also completed the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat.

On 12 February 2012, Dunne fractured his right clavicle in a collision with Joe Hart during a Premier League match against his former club Manchester City. He had surgery in Birmingham the following day.[19] Dunne travelled to the NFL team the Cleveland Browns in order to attain specialised medical care for his injury, who at the time were owned by then-chairman of Aston Villa, Randy Lerner.[20]

In May 2013, manager Paul Lambert announced that the Irishman was being released on a free transfer.[citation needed]

Queens Park Rangers

[edit]
Dunne (left) marking Eden Hazard whilst playing for Queens Park Rangers.

Dunne joined Queens Park Rangers on 15 July 2013, on a free transfer.[21] He made his first QPR appearance against Exeter City in the League Cup. He scored his first goal for Rangers against Burnley on 1 February 2014.[22] In his first season at QPR he made a total of 45 appearances scoring one goal and was part of the team that won promotion back to the Premier League via the 2014 Football League Championship play-off final against Derby County.[23][24]

Dunne holds the unfortunate record of the most own goals in the Premier League, scoring his tenth in a 3–2 defeat against Liverpool on 19 October 2014, in a game which saw QPR score two own goals to hand Liverpool the victory.[25]

QPR were eventually relegated that season, finishing in last place with 20 more goals conceded than any other side. Dunne made a total of 24 appearances.

On 31 May 2015, Dunne's contract expired and, along with five other players he was released by the club. There was considerable speculation regarding his plans after QPR and he was linked with moves to MLS, the Indian Super League and the League of Ireland.[26] None of these materialized however, and he formally announced his retirement from football in November 2015. He now lives with his wife and two children in Monte Carlo.[27]

International career

[edit]
Richard Dunne after a famous performance for Ireland against Russia in Moscow. Dunne's contributions helped seal eventual qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.

Dunne played for the Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team in the 1997 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship finals in Iceland. Dunne made his debut for the Republic of Ireland on 26 April 2000 in a 1–0 loss against Greece in a friendly match.[28] His first international goal came just two months later in only his third cap as he scored on 4 June against Mexico, helping his team come from 2–0 down to drawing 2–2.[29] He was selected by Mick McCarthy to play against the likes of the Netherlands and Portugal during Ireland's successful 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, where he also scored his first competitive international goal in a 2–0 win against Estonia.

Dunne was part of the Irish squad that played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but the centre-half pairing of Gary Breen and Steve Staunton (the latter of whom became team captain following the departure of Roy Keane) was favoured by Mick McCarthy, meaning Dunne did not even make an appearance as a substitute. The emergence of John O'Shea, and Brian Kerr's preference for Kenny Cunningham, meant that Dunne's chances with Ireland were extremely limited during their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for UEFA Euro 2004. He did score his fourth international goal in a friendly against Turkey just prior to the end of the campaign. Dunne again found himself out of favour with Kerr during the qualification campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, only featuring in the final three matches which included a 1–0 defeat to France, a game that ultimately cost Ireland qualification. Another change of manager for Ireland saw Dunne's former teammate, Steve Staunton, use him during the majority of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. Early defeats to Germany and a humiliating 5–2 loss to Cyprus, a match in which Dunne scored before giving away a penalty and being sent off,[30] ensured qualification was always beyond the Irish. Dunne only missed three of the twelve matches, due to suspension and injury rather than form.

Giovanni Trapattoni was appointed Ireland manager for the qualification campaign ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup[31] and cemented Dunne as Ireland's first choice central defender. Dunne played in all ten games helping Ireland finish second and qualify for a play-off whilst also scoring goals in both 1–1 draws with Bulgaria, as well as winning the man of the match award in the away game held in Sofia.[32] He also played the entire matches in both legs against France, as Ireland were controversially knocked out 2–1 on aggregate after extra-time. Dunne was famously pictured sitting distraught on the pitch in Paris as Thierry Henry, who assisted William Gallas' winning goal after controlling the ball with his hand, consoled Dunne.[33][34]

On 8 February 2011, Dunne started and completed the full 90 minutes in Ireland's first Nations Cup game against Wales in a 3–0 win. On 26 March 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes in the Group B Euro 2012 qualifying against Macedonia in a 2–1 victory at the Aviva Stadium. On 10 August 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Sean St. Ledger in the goalless draw against Croatia at the Aviva Stadium.[35]

On 6 September 2011, Dunne started and played the full 90 minutes in the goalless draw against Russia in Moscow. Dunne gave perhaps the best performance of his career, winning the man of the match award as he almost single-handedly stopped a Russian team which totally dominated midfield and created wave after wave of attacks. Former Ireland defender Paul McGrath described Dunne's heroics as the best performance from an Irish central defender he had ever witnessed, including his own performance against Italy in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Dunne in action for Ireland in September 2013.

On 11 October 2011, Dunne started and played the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 victory for Ireland over Armenia at the Aviva Stadium which gained them a play-off spot for UEFA Euro 2012, scoring in the 60th minute his eighth goal on his 69th international appearance for his country.[36][37] After the team qualified for UEFA Euro 2012 with an unprecedented 5–1 aggregate play-off win over their opponents Estonia, Dunne described it as "the best experience I've probably had in football".[38][39] He started in all three of Ireland's Group C matches at UEFA Euro 2012, as they were defeated 3–1 by Croatia, 4–0 by Spain, and 2–0 by Italy.

On 2 June 2013, Dunne made his return to the national team for the first time in a year as a second half substitution against Georgia in a 4–0 Irish win. Dunne made his return to the Irish team in his first competitive game for 15 months in a 1–2 loss to Sweden at the Aviva Stadium in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

On 31 July 2014, Dunne retired from international football.

Media career

[edit]

After retiring in 2015 he joined BT Sport as a pundit for their coverage of the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Dunne has been praised for his insightful and opinionated style of punditry.[40]

Personal life

[edit]

Dunne is related to footballers Theo Dunne (uncle) and Gavin Molloy (second cousin).[41]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[42][43]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Continental Other[a] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Everton 1996–97 Premier League 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
1997–98 Premier League 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
1998–99 Premier League 16 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
1999–2000 Premier League 31 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 36 0
2000–01 Premier League 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Total 60 0 8 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 72 0
Manchester City 2000–01 Premier League 25 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 0
2001–02 First Division 43 1 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 49 1
2002–03 Premier League 25 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 26 0
2003–04 Premier League 29 0 5 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 40 0
2004–05 Premier League 35 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 2
2005–06 Premier League 32 3 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 38 3
2006–07 Premier League 38 1 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 44 1
2007–08 Premier League 36 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 42 0
2008–09 Premier League 31 1 1 0 1 0 14 0 0 0 47 1
2009–10 Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 296 8 26 0 12 0 18 0 0 0 352 8
Aston Villa 2009–10 Premier League 35 3 4 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 44 3
2010–11 Premier League 32 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 35 0
2011–12 Premier League 28 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 32 2
2012–13 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 95 4 8 1 8 0 0 0 0 0 111 5
Queens Park Rangers 2013–14 Championship 41 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 45 1
2014–15 Premier League 23 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 24 0
Total 64 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 69 1
Career total 515 13 42 1 26 0 18 0 3 0 604 14

International

[edit]
Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dunne goal.
List of international goals scored by Richard Dunne
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 4 June 2000 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States  Mexico 2–2 2000 U.S. Cup
2 11 October 2000 Lansdowne Road, Dublin  Estonia 2–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 6 June 2001 Lilleküla Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia  Estonia 2–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 9 September 2003 Lansdowne Road, Dublin  Turkey 2–2 Friendly
5 7 October 2006 Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus  Cyprus 2–5 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
6 28 March 2009 Croke Park, Dublin  Bulgaria 1–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 6 June 2009 Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria  Bulgaria 1–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 11 October 2011 Aviva Stadium, Dublin  Armenia 2–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying

Honours

[edit]

Aston Villa

Republic of Ireland

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Richard Dunne

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Richard Dunne (born 21 September 1979) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back, best known for his ten-year tenure at City, where he made over 300 appearances, served as club captain, and was named Player of the Year for four consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2008. Born in , , Dunne began his career in the youth system at Everton, making 72 senior appearances between 1996 and 2000, including becoming the club's youngest-ever player in 1997 at age 17 and contributing to the 1998 victory. In 2000, he transferred to Manchester City for £3.5 million, helping the club secure promotion to the in 2002 after relegation the previous season, and establishing himself as a key defender with 296 appearances that included 61 clean sheets but also a shared record of eight red cards. He moved to Aston Villa in 2009 for £6 million, where injuries limited him to over 100 appearances across four seasons, before joining Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer in 2013, playing 69 games until his release in 2015. Internationally, Dunne earned 80 caps for the between his debut against in 2000 and his retirement from international duty in 2014, scoring eight goals and featuring at the and UEFA Euro 2012. Upon retiring from playing in 2015 following his QPR departure, he transitioned to media work as a pundit for BT Sport (now TNT Sports) starting that year, and in 2024 joined City's academy as assistant coach for the under-18s team.

Early life and youth career

Early life

Richard Dunne was born on 21 September 1979 in , , , to Irish parents with roots in . Growing up in during his early childhood, Dunne was immersed in a family environment with strong ties to Irish football heritage, including his uncle Theo Dunne, a former defender who captained Shelbourne in European competition against in 1963. This familial connection extended to his second cousin Gavin Molloy, an emerging professional defender who has cited Dunne as a major inspiration in his own career. Dunne's initial interest in football developed through non-professional schoolboy play in Ireland, where he joined in the Dublin & District Schoolboys' League (DDSL). There, he participated in competitive matches and international tours against English youth teams, often emerging victorious and building confidence in his abilities as a defender. These experiences, influenced by his family's football legacy, fostered a natural progression toward professional opportunities abroad. This background culminated in his recruitment to Everton's youth academy at age 15.

Youth career

Richard Dunne joined Everton's youth academy as a 15-year-old schoolboy in the 1994–95 season, having previously played for Home Farm in . He quickly progressed through the youth ranks, signing a five-year professional contract in early 1997. In the 1995–96 season, Dunne began featuring for Everton's reserve team, making four appearances as he adapted to a higher level of competition. His development as a centre-back continued in the youth setup, where he established himself as a reliable defender known for his physical presence and positioning. The following 1996–97 campaign saw increased involvement in reserves, with 17 appearances and one goal, helping build his match fitness and tactical awareness. Later that year, following a period sidelined by a hernia and weight issues, he returned to Home Farm on loan to rebuild his form and fitness. A subsequent extended stint in Everton's reserves during the 1997–98 season, where he made 12 appearances and scored twice, solidified his readiness for senior opportunities. One of Dunne's key youth achievements came in 1998, when he was a central figure as a centre-back in Everton's FA Youth Cup-winning squad, defeating Blackburn Rovers 5–3 on aggregate in the final (3–1 first leg, 2–2 second leg). This triumph, alongside teammates like Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman, highlighted his defensive contributions in high-stakes youth competitions and marked a pivotal step in his progression toward professional football.

Club career

Everton

Richard Dunne made his professional debut for Everton in the FA Cup third round on 5 January 1997, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 home win against Swindon Town at the age of 17. Just six days later, he earned his first Premier League appearance, starting at centre-back in a 2–1 away defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 11 January 1997. As a promising young defender emerging from Everton's youth academy, Dunne faced significant adaptation challenges in the senior squad, often deployed out of his natural centre-back position at right-back due to the established partnership of Dave Watson and Gary Ablett in central defence. This positional versatility limited his opportunities to develop in his preferred role, contributing to irregular starts amid competition from more experienced players under managers Joe Royle and later Walter Smith. Over his three-and-a-half seasons at from 1997 to 2000, Dunne made 70 appearances across all competitions, including 40 in the , without scoring a . His limited playtime stemmed from Everton's defensive depth and his ongoing adjustment to the physical and tactical demands of top-flight football as a teenager, though he showed promise in cup ties and occasional league outings. In October 2000, seeking greater consistency, Dunne transferred to Manchester City for a fee of £3.5 million, reuniting with former Everton manager .

Manchester City

Richard Dunne joined Manchester City from Everton in October 2000 for a transfer fee of £3.5 million, marking a significant investment in the 21-year-old defender who had shown promise in the . Over the next nine years, he made 253 appearances in the for the club, scoring 7 goals, and contributed to 61 clean sheets, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the defense. His time at City began in the First Division, where he played a key role in the 2001–02 promotion-winning campaign under manager , helping secure the title with a strong defensive record. Dunne's reliability shone through in the , where he anchored the backline during periods of mid-table stability and occasional relegation skirmishes, such as the narrow escapes in the mid-2000s under and . Despite earning a reputation for own goals—he holds the club record with six during his tenure—his overall defensive solidity was undeniable, often partnering with to form one of the league's more robust center-back pairings. This consistency earned him City's Player of the Year award four consecutive times from the 2004–05 to 2007–08 seasons, a feat that made him the first player in club history to achieve such a run and underscored his importance to the team's survival and progress. Appointed club captain in the 2006 close season at age 26, Dunne succeeded and provided steady leadership through turbulent times, including managerial changes and the buildup to the club's transformative takeover in 2008. As , he led by example on the pitch, guiding City to ninth-place finishes in 2003–04 and 2007–08 while fostering team resilience amid off-field upheaval, though his tenure ended amid the post-takeover squad overhaul in 2009. His defensive foundations, honed during earlier struggles at Everton, proved instrumental in City's evolution from promotion contenders to established outfit.

Aston Villa

Dunne joined Aston Villa from Manchester City in September 2009 for a reported transfer fee of £6 million, signing a four-year contract. During his four seasons at the club, he made 95 appearances in the , scoring 4 goals, while contributing to a solid defensive unit under managers and Gérard Houllier. A highlight of his early tenure was his role in Aston Villa's run to the 2010 League Cup Final, where he started in the 2–1 defeat to Manchester United at on 28 February 2010; during the match, Dunne lost possession leading to United's second goal by . He formed a reliable central defensive partnership with James Collins, which helped Villa maintain one of the league's stronger backlines in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons, with Dunne occasionally contributing goals from set pieces, including three in his debut campaign. His prior experience as Manchester City captain aided his leadership qualities in the Villa dressing room, often mentoring younger defenders. However, Dunne's time at Villa was increasingly hampered by injuries, notably a fractured collarbone in April 2012 that sidelined him for the end of the 2011–12 season, followed by a persistent problem in 2012–13 that limited him to no league appearances and required surgery. These setbacks contributed to a dip in form and availability, leading to his contract not being renewed at the end of the 2012–13 season, after which he was released as a in June 2013.

Queens Park Rangers

In July 2013, Richard Dunne joined Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer from Aston Villa, signing a one-year contract ahead of the club's first season in the following relegation from the . His experience as a seasoned defender from previous clubs provided stability to QPR's backline, which had conceded heavily the prior year. During the 2013–14 season, Dunne featured in 41 matches, scoring once, and played a pivotal role in the . Dunne's defensive solidity was instrumental in QPR's run to the 2014 Championship play-off final against Derby County at . Despite being reduced to 10 men after Gary O'Neil's red card, QPR secured a 1–0 victory through Bobby Zamora's extra-time goal, with Dunne earning man of the match honors for his commanding performance that thwarted Derby's attacks. This triumph promoted QPR back to the at the first attempt. In total, Dunne made 45 appearances across all competitions that season, including the League Cup and play-offs. The campaign proved challenging for QPR, who finished 20th and were relegated after a winless run in their final 10 matches. Dunne contributed 24 appearances but was sidelined for three months from onward due to a medial cruciate ligament injury in his right knee sustained against , which significantly limited his involvement. Released by QPR at the end of the season, Dunne announced his retirement from professional football in November 2015 at age 36, citing the cumulative impact of injuries as a key factor in his decision to step away. Over his two years at , he made 69 appearances and scored 1 goal. Dunne's club career, spanning Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, and QPR, totaled 602 appearances and 13 goals, capping a distinguished tenure as one of the Premier League's most reliable center-backs.

International career

Youth international career

Richard Dunne was eligible to represent the through his Irish birth in , , and parentage. He began his youth international career at the age of 15, earning call-ups to the under-15 and under-16 teams starting in 1995 while developing at Everton's youth academy. These early appearances helped establish Dunne as a promising defender, showcasing his physical presence and tactical awareness in age-group internationals against European peers. Dunne progressed to the under-18 and under-19 levels, featuring prominently in qualifying matches and tournaments. He represented the under-19 team at the 1997 UEFA European Under-18 Championship finals in , gaining valuable experience in competitive fixtures. The following year, Dunne was a key member of the under-18 squad that won the in , making seven appearances during the tournament under manager Brian Kerr and contributing to the team's defensive solidity in their triumph. By 1998, Dunne had transitioned to the under-21 team, earning his first cap on 18 November 1998 in a 1–1 draw against during qualifying. He made several appearances for the U21s between 1998 and 2000, including matches against strong opponents like , honing his skills ahead of the senior setup. This period culminated in his first senior international call-up in April 2000 under manager , marking the end of his youth international phase.

Senior international career

Richard Dunne made his senior debut for the on 26 April 2000, starting in a 1–0 friendly defeat to at . Over the course of his international career, he earned 80 caps and scored 8 goals between 2000 and 2014, establishing himself as a reliable centre-back for the national team. His contributions included key defensive displays in qualifying campaigns, where he often partnered with John O'Shea at the heart of the defense under managers like . Dunne was included in Ireland's squad for the in and , though he did not feature in any matches as the team exited in the group stage following draws against and , and a loss to . He scored notable goals during qualifiers, including two in a 5–2 loss to in 2006—one a header to level the score before and another late consolation—marking a rare attacking contribution from the defender. Dunne finally appeared in a major tournament at in and Ukraine, starting all three group games alongside as suffered defeats to , , and , resulting in a group stage elimination. His experience proved vital in the qualification phase, including a standout performance in a 0–0 draw against that secured 's qualification. In July 2014, following Ireland's unsuccessful qualifying campaign, Dunne announced his retirement from international football at age 34, citing persistent injuries that had caused him to miss several recent call-ups and the team's ongoing progression without him.

Post-playing career

Media career

Following his retirement from professional football with Queens Park Rangers in 2015, Richard Dunne joined BT Sport as a television , providing expert analysis for coverage of the , , , and . In July 2023, BT Sport rebranded as TNT Sports under a between and , with Dunne continuing in his role as a regular pundit for the network's and Champions League broadcasts. Dunne's contributions often draw on his experience as a defender, offering breakdowns of tactical setups and player positioning, as seen in his critiques of modern defensive errors and high-line vulnerabilities in high-profile matches. His media presence expanded post-2020, including guest appearances on analysis shows for international fixtures, such as games in 2025, and occasional podcast spots discussing club tactics.

Coaching career

Upon retiring from professional football in November 2015 following his release from Queens Park Rangers, Dunne initially focused on a media career, serving as a for BT Sport (later rebranded as TNT Sports) and providing analysis for various broadcasts. He did not pursue coaching opportunities at that time, instead establishing himself in broadcasting over the subsequent years. In March 2024, Dunne returned to Manchester City—where he had enjoyed a long playing association from 2000 to 2009—as a youth development coach in the academy, initially assisting the Under-16s squad on a part-time basis. By July 2024, ahead of the 2024–25 season, he transitioned to a full-time role as assistant coach for the Under-18 team, supporting lead coach Oliver Reiss alongside fellow former City player . In this position, Dunne contributes to the coaching and development of players, leveraging his background as a defender who made over 350 appearances for the club and earned multiple Player of the Year awards during his tenure. As of November 2025, Dunne remains in the Under-18 assistant coach role.

Personal life

Family

Richard Dunne is married to Helen Dunne, and together they have two children: son Tayo and daughter Lyla. Tayo has pursued youth football, playing as a defender for clubs in including U.S. Cap d'Ail and earning a call-up to the under-15 squad in 2023 for the Torneo Delle Nazioni tournament. As of November 2025, he plays for FC's under-18 team and has featured in the . Dunne hails from a family steeped in Irish football heritage, born in to parents Dick and Phyllis Dunne. His uncle Theo Dunne was a stalwart who captained Shelbourne and passed away in February 2023, while his second cousin Gavin Molloy is a professional defender who has played for Shelbourne and . This lineage of footballers from Dublin's south side profoundly shaped Dunne's Irish identity, reinforcing his commitment to representing the over during his career, where he earned 80 caps. Post-retirement, Dunne's family remains actively involved in football; he and Helen founded the FMC Elite Football Academy in around 2018, emphasizing a supportive, enjoyment-focused environment for young players that aligns with their experiences raising Tayo in the .

Residence and philanthropy

Following his retirement from professional football in 2015, Richard Dunne relocated from to in , where he has resided with his wife and children since 2016. The move was motivated by a desire for greater family privacy, a relaxed lifestyle away from the demands of the , and the appeal of Monaco's favorable and environment, allowing for more quality time with his family. In Monaco, Dunne has embraced a low-key post-retirement routine centered on family activities and casual pursuits. He plays with friends twice a week, followed by social gatherings, and occasionally attends local matches, such as those involving AS Monaco, though he finds the pace of French football unexciting compared to his playing days. By 2022, he had also taken up youth players at a local club and running a small football , providing a structured yet leisurely way to remain connected to the game without the pressures of professional involvement. As of 2024, Dunne continues to base himself primarily in the principality, balancing occasional trips to and for media work with his settled family life there. Dunne has engaged in primarily through support for Irish children's charities, focusing on organizations aiding seriously ill or disadvantaged youth. In 2011, he donated his famous "5uperman" match-worn jersey from an international to an auction benefiting , a camp for children with serious illnesses. That same year, he participated in the inaugural Walk of Dreams event, which supports causes related to children's welfare. In 2012, Dunne collaborated with fellow Irish footballers to launch limited-edition T-shirts sold through Penneys, with proceeds directed to Temple Street Children's University Hospital and Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin. These efforts highlight his ongoing commitment to youth programs and health initiatives in , though he has not pursued large-scale charitable foundations himself.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Richard Dunne made a total of 602 appearances and scored 13 goals across all clubs and competitions during his professional career.

Breakdown by Club

Dunne's club appearances and goals are distributed as follows:
ClubAppearancesGoals
Everton700
Manchester City3527
Aston Villa1115
Queens Park Rangers691
These figures encompass all domestic and European competitions.

Premier League Statistics

Dunne appeared in 431 Premier League matches, scoring 11 goals. His season-by-season record in the competition is detailed below:
SeasonClubAppearancesGoals
1996–97Everton70
1997–98Everton30
1998–99Everton160
1999–00Everton310
2000–01Everton30
2000–01Manchester City250
2002–03Manchester City250
2003–04Manchester City290
2004–05Manchester City352
2005–06Manchester City323
2006–07Manchester City381
2007–08Manchester City360
2008–09Manchester City311
2009–10Manchester City20
2009–10Aston Villa353
2010–11Aston Villa320
2011–12Aston Villa281
2014–15Queens Park Rangers230
He holds the record for the most own goals, with 10.

Other Competitions

In cup competitions and lower divisions, Dunne made 171 appearances and scored 2 goals. Key highlights include:
  • FA Cup: 38 appearances, 1 goal (across Everton, Manchester City, and Aston Villa).
  • League Cup (EFL Cup): 25 appearances, 0 goals (primarily with Manchester City and Aston Villa).
  • : 41 appearances, 1 goal (with Queens Park Rangers in 2013–14).
  • European Competitions: 13 appearances, 0 goals (with Manchester City in UEFA Cup during 2008–09).
  • First Division (pre- promotion era): 43 appearances, 1 goal (with Manchester City in 2001–02).

Disciplinary Record

Dunne received 8 red cards in the , tying the all-time record shared with and . He accumulated 74 yellow cards across his .

International statistics

Richard Dunne earned 80 caps for the senior national team from 2000 to 2014, scoring 8 goals during his international career. Before his senior debut, he represented at youth international levels from under-15 to under-21, accumulating more than 20 appearances across these age groups. Dunne's senior international goals came in the following matches:
No.DateOpponentScoreCompetition
14 June 20002–2International Friendly
211 October 20002–0 qualifying
36 June 20010–2 qualifying
49 September 20032–2International Friendly
57 October 20065–2
628 March 20091–1 qualifying
76 June 20091–1 qualifying
811 October 2011Armenia2–1
Regarding major tournaments, Dunne was included in 's squad for the but did not make any appearances during the finals. In , he featured in all three group stage matches, starting each as finished bottom of without advancing.

Honours

Club honours

During his time in Everton's youth setup, Dunne was a member of the team that won the 1998 , defeating Rovers 5–3 on aggregate in the final. At Manchester City, where Dunne played from 2000 to 2009, the club secured no major team honours, though he was instrumental in key survival efforts during several relegation-threatened seasons, including the 2001 promotion back to the after an initial drop and the 2005–06 campaign where City finished 14th to avoid the drop. With Aston Villa from 2009 to 2013, Dunne started in the , but the team lost 2–1 to Manchester United and finished as runners-up. Dunne's stint at Queens Park Rangers from 2013 to 2015 culminated in the club's promotion to the through the play-offs, where they defeated Derby County 1–0 in the final at .

Individual honours

Richard Dunne earned widespread recognition for his defensive prowess during his time at Manchester City, where he was voted the club's Player of the Year for four consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2008, becoming the first player in the club's history to achieve this feat. His consistent performances, including leading the team in appearances and clean sheets despite periods of struggle, underscored his importance to the squad. In the 2009–10 Premier League season, following his transfer to Aston Villa, Dunne was selected for the , honoring his standout contributions as a centre-back amid a strong defensive record for his new club. On the international stage, Dunne was named Senior International Player of the Year in 2008, reflecting his pivotal role in qualifying campaigns and defensive stability for the national team. He received the award again in 2012, after captaining Ireland to qualification for , where his leadership and performances were lauded by peers including captain . As part of the under-18 team, Dunne contributed to their victory in the , defeating Germany 4–3 on penalties in the final after a 2–2 draw.

References

  1. https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/archive/dunne-in-profile/
  2. https://www.mancity.com/mancitylegends/dunne-richard
  3. https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2016/03/03/the-big-interview-pt-1-dunne-on-villa-man-city-blues-debut-and-collins
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jul/15/qpr-sign-richard-dunne
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34083217
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28590985
  7. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c8vd7nq6066o
  8. https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/8210/richard-dunne
  9. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/6541215/aberdeen-defender-gavin-malloy-on-influence-of-manchester-city-legend/
  10. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/richard-dunne-i-was-on-200-a-week-when-i-made-my-everton-debut-irish-kids-today-need-to-keep-going-when-it-gets-tough/37405990.html
  11. https://www.toffeeweb.com/players/profiles/Dunne.php
  12. https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/richard-dunne-25-63895509
  13. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fa-youth-cup-winners-12282163
  14. https://www.hitc.com/evertons-1998-fa-youth-cup-winners-where-are-they-now/
  15. https://www.transfermarkt.us/richard-dunne/debuets/spieler/3807
  16. https://www.planetfootball.com/lists-and-rankings/forgotten-everton-academy-graduates-became-cult-heroes-elsewhere
  17. https://www.transfermarkt.us/richard-dunne/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/3807
  18. https://www.statcity.co.uk/Players/821/Richard-Dunne
  19. https://www.mancity.com/news/club/city-dna-110-richard-dunne-own-goals-63727031
  20. https://www.mancity.com/wnrh/richard-dunne
  21. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/2304814/Richard-Dunne-signs-new-Man-City-contract.html
  22. https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/richard-dunne-man-city-294021
  23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8225224.stm
  24. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/aston-villa-fc/richard-dunne-9933/premiership-appearances_a25596/
  25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/8531179.stm
  26. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/10/martin-oneill-aston-villa-richard-dunne
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/apr/23/richard-dunne-return-aston-villa
  28. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22791025
  29. https://www.transfermarkt.us/richard-dunne/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/3807
  30. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/24/qpr-derby-championship-play-off-final-live
  31. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/qprs-survival-bid-dealt-huge-5128184
  32. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/richard-dunne-despair-as-knee-injury-threatens-to-end-his-career/30975204.html
  33. https://www.transfermarkt.us/richard-dunne/profil/spieler/3807
  34. https://www.11v11.com/teams/republic-of-ireland/tab/players/season/1998/comp/934/
  35. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2014/0801/634597-kerr-dunnes-class-evident-from-early-age/
  36. http://soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/preview.php?id=81&level=ss21
  37. https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/newsid=2129440/
  38. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/a-perfect-role-model-for-durability-in-a-cut-throat-profession-why-history-will-be-kind-to-john-oshea/36891912.html
  39. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/dunne-thrilled-at-chance-to-ease-hurt-of-watching-world-cup-from-bench-in-2002/26792223.html
  40. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2006/1007/209916-ireland2/
  41. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jun/09/euro-2012-richard-dunne-ireland
  42. https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7fdb8d1ddc-05e5994ab18d-1000--richard-dunne-calls-time-on-ireland-career/
  43. https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/archive/richard-dunne-keen-to-extend-club-career/
  44. https://newsroom.bt.com/a-new-name-for-bt-sport-is-another-step-towards-an-exciting-future/
  45. https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/richard-dunne-blasts-van-dijk-283604
  46. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pundit-highlights-aston-villa-problem-28155676
  47. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8-9VkpJ-haU
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I1qsuwAy5E
  49. https://cityxtra.co.uk/10796/legendary-former-manchester-city-captain-returns-to-club-in-new-coaching-role/
  50. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8vd7nq6066o
  51. https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/former-manchester-city-defender-richard-33259278
  52. https://www.transfermarkt.us/richard-dunne/profil/trainer/90404
  53. https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/10584349/republic-of-ireland-richard-dunne-son-squad/
  54. https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/u18s-defender-tayo-dunne-shares-his-favourite-memory-from-the-career-of-his-dad-richard-dunne/
  55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NGnzXz-srM
  56. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/irish-football-in-mourning-following-the-death-of-theo-dunne/42339403.html
  57. https://news.mc/2023/03/17/personalities-of-the-principality-helen-dunne/
  58. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/richard-dunne-ireland-monte-carlo-27071643
  59. https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/dunne-enjoying-life-in-monaco/34621966.html
  60. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/richard-dunne-happy-to-be-out-of-the-football-bubble-1.2608291
  61. https://www.thesun.ie/sport/13021584/virgin-media-pundit-richard-dunne-wife-kids-monaco/
  62. https://www.facebook.com/Barretstown/posts/richard-dunnes-famous-homemade-number-5-jersey-worn-during-irelands-nil-all-draw/258234057551764/
  63. https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/dunne-teams-up-with-gilesy-for-walk/27974252.html
  64. https://tipptatler.ie/2012/04/irish-football-legends-launch-limited-edition-t-shirts-in-aid-of-temple-street-and-crumlin-childrens-hospitals/
  65. https://www.transfermarkt.com/richard-dunne/leistungsdaten/spieler/3807
  66. https://www.transfermarkt.com/richard-dunne/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/3807
  67. https://www.statmuse.com/fc/ask/most-own-goals-in-premier-league-history
  68. https://theanalyst.com/articles/most-premier-league-own-goals-by-a-player
  69. https://www.transfermarkt.com/richard-dunne/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/3807
  70. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/90553-most-english-football-premier-league-red-cards
  71. https://www.transfermarkt.com/richard-dunne/nationalmannschaft/spieler/3807
  72. http://www2.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?sort=ins&id=6&level=sssenior
  73. https://www.thefa.com/competitions/fa-youth-cup/winners-finals-list
  74. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2676830-how-richard-dunne-and-sylvain-distins-partnership-saved-manchester-city
  75. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/287675/manchester-united-aston-villa
  76. https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2017/june/50-years-of-mcfc-player-of-the-year-part-5
  77. https://www.irishpost.com/sport/coleman-pfa-selection-is-first-for-irish-in-almost-five-years-26301
  78. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0203/227645-ireland1/
  79. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7da3ae1e66-32ed4ab3cd95-1000--defender-dunne-picked-as-ireland-s-best/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.