Sydney FC veteran Seb Ryall walks away from club to pursue options outside football
SYDNEY FC defender Seb Ryall has stunned the club by walking away from football with immediate effect, leaving a gaping hole in the Sky Blues’ title and Asian Champion League pursuits.
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SYDNEY FC face a struggle to replace defender Seb Ryall, after the 28-year-old’s dramatic decision to pursue a life outside of football.
Ryall quit the club with immediate effect, having grown disillusioned with playing the sport.
Though the players’ union praised the Sky Blues for their diplomatic handling of Ryall’s situation, Ryall’s exit leaves coach Graham Arnold with just 22-year-old Aaron Calver as senior central defensive cover ahead of the title pursuit and the Asian Champion League campaign.
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Quite apart from the question of finding a replacement, it’s believed that a significant wedge of Ryall’s salary came under the salary cap “loyalty” exemption for players who have spent a lengthy period at one club.
The only other player at the club with similar service for Sydney is Rhyan Grant, half of whose salary already comes under the same exemption, which is already the maximum proportion that can be ascribed to it.
It complicates Arnold’s deliberations ahead of the ACL, with the club already seeking an Asian winger purely for those games, and comes with the A-League transfer window already half over.
Nonetheless Arnold acceded to the request for a release from Ryall, who has been a permanent understudy during the coach’s tenure at the club.
It’s believed he has been considering his future in the game for some time, having missed the second half of last season due to a serious hamstring injury.
That came in the game after Matt Jurman had left, potentially opening the door to Ryall, and he was only able to return on the bench in the grand final.
Though Ryall, twice a double winner with Sydney, is not actually retiring, it’s believed he wants to examine career options outside the game.
Ryall will pursue “opportunities outside football”, which Sydney coach Graham Arnold said he hoped would allow Ryall to “rekindle his passion for the game”.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to represent this great club for as long as I have and winning trophies for my home town has been an incredible experience,” said Ryall in a club statement.
“I love this club and have made some fantastic friends but for now I feel I need a break from football to pursue some other interests and regain my desire for playing the game.
“It is a big decision, everyone at the club has been unbelievably supportive, and I’m hugely thankful for everything they have done for me during the last nine years.
“Our members have also given me incredible backing throughout my time here and Sydney FC is the only Australian club I would ever wish to play for.
“I wish every Sky Blue more continued success in the future.”
Arnold said that Ryall “has been an excellent servant to Sydney FC. To play close to 200 games for one club is a fantastic achievement.
“We didn’t want him to leave but we understand his desire to take a break, to do some other things in life and rekindle his passion for the game.
“He and I had a great conversation before he left and he is fully supportive of everyone at the club and everything that we are doing here.
“We wish him well in the next stage of his life.”
Professional Footballers Association chief executive praised Sydney’s handling of Ryall’s exit, adding: “The leadership at Sydney FC has been exceptional in the understanding and collaborative way they have worked with Seb to facilitate this transition.”