Tim Cahill’s stint in the Indian Super League will be his last as a player
Tim Cahill has confirmed his Indian Super League move will probably be his final club stint but he will stay in the game once his career is over.
Football
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Tim Cahill has confirmed his Indian Super League move will probably be his final club stint.
Just as the Socceroos legend retired from international football after the World Cup, he also plans to hang up the club boots for good after a swan song season with new club Jamshedpur FC.
That could be followed by a coaching career, for which he’s already in the process of earning his badges.
“India will probably be my last hurrah,” Cahill said.
“It was something that really excited me, honestly.
“As one of the main players for that league at 38 years old, then my job is to be accountable and make sure I go there in the best shape possible and do well on the pitch, because that’s what I represent.
“My leadership skills off the park, how I can change that club and infuse a team, that’s what I do best.
“I’ve played everywhere in the world — England, America, China, Australia — and it was definitely something I wanted to tick off, whether it was exploring the TV opportunities (or playing).”
As reported by the Daily Telegraph, Cahill on Tuesday announced plans to celebrate his illustrious international career with one final appearance in the green and gold in a friendly with Lebanon at ANZ Stadium on November 20.
And just as his extended post-World Cup holiday reaffirmed his decision to retire, it also helped assess his other priorities.
Cahill had previously ruled out an A-League return due to his desire to live in the US, prompting speculation he might return to the MLS and then surprise when he joined Jamshedpur.
But he reasoned the nine-month American season was too long a commitment while also working on his coaching qualifications and balancing family time and business.
And while “there were a lot of other options”, the six-month ISL campaign finishing in March was the most doable.
Cahill sought advice from several high-profile friends about India, including former Australian pace bowler Brett Lee.
“I can’t do the stuff I’m doing off the park, commercially, business and family (in the US),” he said.
“To have 30 days off during Christmas and all that with my family, and international breaks — I’ve never had an international break and I don’t know what a holiday is so it’s very hard for me to relax.
“I’ve just made sure I’ve enrolled in the things I need to: courses, badges, family, structured in all the dates of where we’re going to be, holidays, special moments for all the kids, school soccer.
“It takes time to plan … India is the best opportunity and also it ticks a lot of boxes for me because it’s a big country and I know I can help off the park a lot with the growth of football there and the amount of investment they’re putting into it as well.
“I’ll coach but I’m only 38. After 40.”
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