Where will Tim Cahill next play football?
TIM Cahill only knows one thing for sure — his time is up at Melbourne City. But where is he going to kick off Operation Russia 2018? DAVID DAVUTOVIC looks at where the Socceroos legend might land.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
EUROPE or USA loom as Tim Cahill’s likely interim destinations for operation Russia 2018 after his sensational split with Melbourne City was confirmed.
His desire to not only reach, but join the likes of Pele and Miroslav Klose in scoring at a fourth-straight World Cup were underlined by his decision to walk away from a long-term deal and coaching pathway with City Football Group.
The Socceroos record goalscorer visited City’s Bundoora base for a final time on Wednesday to farewell his teammates after they were notified of Cahill’s immediate exit.
BOMBSHELL: TIM CAHILL QUITS MELBOURNE CITY
LEAP OF FAITH: CAHILL’S CITY DEPARTURE LEAVES UNCERTAINTY
UNITED FRONT: COULD CAHILL STAY IN THE A-LEAGUE IN ADELAIDE?
CFG agreed a mutual termination with Cahill, who turned 38 today, which leaves him free to find a new club without the burden of a transfer fee.
Cahill has been limited to 139 minutes in seven appearances and just one start this season — the most in the 45-minute FFA Cup loss to Sydney FC last August — with international duty limiting his availability.
But coach Warren Joyce’s preference of on loan Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack is also believed to have played a role, with Cahill under the impression he was not part of City’s first-team plans.
With the January transfer window coming up and Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos successor set to be appointed within two months, Cahill is leaving nothing to chance by engineering his City exit just 16 months after his high-profile signing and midway through a three-year deal.
England’s Championship or the MLS are Cahill’s most likely destinations, but a short-term deal in the Premier League or Tony Popovic’s Turkish side Karabukspor are possibilities.
Adelaide United has not ruled making a play, with the exit of Algerian attacker Karim Matmour freeing up funds and a roster space for a Cahill swoop.
“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 said via a City statement.
“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. The welcome from fans, the quality of the facilities and the ever-increasing quality of football continues to be a source of immense pride.”
Most transfer windows reopen in January, including the A-League and England.
Joyce, who was blindsided by Cahill’s original ‘play me or I’m gone’ comments after the Honduras win, is unlikely to elaborate on his press release comments.
“Having players of Tim’s stature in the dressing room can only help develop a squad’s ambitions, and his impact on the team and for the Club is well known, particularly with the younger players in the squad,’’ Joyce said.
“In the period that I’ve worked with Tim, I have appreciated the contribution he has made both on and off the field and the dedication he has shown in training. We all wish him the very best on the next stage of his career.”
CALLING TIM(E)
Tim Cahill’s club CV:
Milwall: 1998-2004 - 217 games, 52 goals
Everton: 2004-12 - 226, 56
New York Red Bulls: 2012-14 - 62, 14
Shanghai Shenhua: 2015-16 - 28, 11
Hangzhou Greentown: 2016 - 17, 4
Melbourne City: 2016-17 - 33, 13
WHERE TO NEXT
A-League?
Cahill cannot join an A-League club until January 3, when the local transfer window opens. Staying home would be ideal for Cahill and his family — Adelaide United has not ruled out making a play.
English Premier League?
A return to England’s top flight appears a long shot, but a bit-part role is not beyond the realms. A reunion with David Moyes at West Ham would be the most likely option.
English Championship?
Could not join the January transfer window opens but a host of clubs would consider signing him. The key is finding a manager and club that will not expect him to play two games a week. England’s transfer window opens January 1.
MLS?
A return to the US makes a lot of sense. The season starts in March, three months out from the World Cup, giving him an ideal lead-in time to hit Russia 2018 recharged but sharp and match fit.
Asia?
Most Asian leagues start in late February which, like the MLS, would enable him to have a mini off-season before going hard for a few months ahead of the World Cup.
Originally published as Where will Tim Cahill next play football?