Tim Cahill: Quitting Melbourne City a leap into the unknown for Socceroos star
WHERE to now for Tim Cahill? It could be the biggest gamble of his career, but the Socceroos’ leading goalscorer is prepared to roll the dice to get to the next World Cup. Tom Smithies examines his options.
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- Tim Cahill quits A-League club Melbourne City
- Former Socceroos to be part of panel to choose next coach
IT could be the biggest gamble of his career, but Tim Cahill is prepared to roll the dice to get to the next World Cup.
The Socceroos striker’s decision to quit Melbourne City in search of regular football appears to have come without a concrete option ready to take up, and with an understanding that Cahill won’t join another A-League team.
Leaving City mid-season means most potential options will have to wait until various transfer windows open, but Cahill made clear in his joint statement with the club that his overwhelming motivation is to play at a fourth World Cup.
It means the country’s most prolific goalscorer will have to hunt down one final club contract, one that will afford him the game time he believes he needs to be selected for the tournament in Russia.
The English championship and the MLS appear the most obvious destinations for a player who turned 38 on Wednesday, though the UAE transfer window opens next week and Cahill has a high reputation in the Middle East.
Wild rumours claimed he would join Tony Popovic’s Turkish side Karabukspor on a short-term deal until the end of the season, though that appears highly unlikely.
Adelaide United have expressed strong interest but it’s believed Cahill and City agreed he would not join a rival.
Cahill came to the conclusion in recent weeks that his appearances under Warren Joyce at City would be of a fringe nature. So far this season he has featured in just 94 minutes across six games for City, in part due to his international commitments.
Complicating the issue was the departure of Ange Postecoglou as Socceroos coach, with question marks over whether his successor would opt to take a 38-year-old to Russia, especially one who wasn’t playing regularly.
Cahill’s burning desire to join the most select group of players who have scored at four World Cups - including Pele and Diego Maradona - means he has struck out on his own, though his reputation even now means he is unlikely to wait long for offers.
In the wake of a series of stories detailing Cahill’s dissatisfaction at his playing time with City, and deteriorating relationship with Joyce, Cahill confirmed his exit via Instagram on Wednesday morning.
In the past fortnight his relationship with club officials has soured as he has sought a release, though the statement from both parties today was couched in amicable terms.
“Playing in the domestic league in Australia was always an important career goal for me, and my experience here has been fulfilling from start to finish,” he said.
“The welcome from fans, the quality of the facilities and the ever-increasing quality of football continues to be a source of immense pride.
“Qualifying for the World Cup has been a great adventure, and it would be a massive honour to represent my country in Russia. That will be my focus in the coming months.”
Cahill’s departure comes less than 18 months after City signed him as a marquee effectively on behalf of the A-League, as an attempt to lift their own crowds and improve the league’s attendances and ratings.
The long-term plan had been for him to segue into a coaching role for next season, and it all began well enough with Melbourne City winning the FFA Cup last season.
““I want to thank Melbourne City, the players and the staff, and especially the fans,” he added. “It was amazing to help bring the first piece of silverware to this Club, and this makes me very proud.”