David Gallop extends olive branch to Tim Cahill

FOOTBALL Federation Australia boss David Gallop has met Tim Cahill in a bid to patch up their troubled relationship and open up opportunities.

Could we see Tim Cahill in the A-League?

FFA chief executive David Gallop has met Tim Cahill to patch up their relationship, saying the governing body is “ready to explore” what it will take to get the Socceroos veteran playing in the A-League.

In a statement on Wednesday, Gallop expressed regret over his comments in February when he said the FFA had been told by the then-free agent that the A-League could not “meet his needs”. “We are ready to explore the opportunity of him playing in the A-League, including looking at the off the-field activities that Tim is so passionate about including his academy program and other grassroots initiatives,” Gallop said.

Gallop went as far as to say Cahill would be a “massive addition to the A-League”.

“I would love to see him playing here every week,” he added.

Below is Gallop’s statement in full:

“Tim and I had a chance to catch up last week in Sydney. Firstly, it was a chance for me to reiterate that it would be fantastic to have Tim playing in the Hyundai A-League. Of course, that would require a club to take the lead in signing Tim, a process that FFA would support in any way we can.

“Whatever decision he next takes he told me the door is not closed to the Hyundai A-League and won’t be while ever he is still playing football. He did not intend to so strongly criticise the competition, but rather demonstrate his passion and ambition for Australian football. We see that every time he pulls on the Socceroos shirt.

“I’d love to see him playing every week here. We are ready to explore the opportunity of him playing in the A-League, including looking at the off the field activities that Tim is so passionate about including his academy program and other grassroots initiatives.

“I obviously regret that my comments in February were taken as a criticism of him and the whole thing became the subject of so much commentary.

“The relevant issues around his decision to stay in China could have been more clearly explained by me. With his kids only just starting new schools in Shanghai, the option of playing at Hangzhou Greentown was the best next move for him. Tim indicated this to senior FFA people and me personally in the hours after he parted company with Shanghai Shenhua. Our communication on that particular day was via text messaging.

“Bottom line is Tim would be a massive addition to the A-League. I would love to see him playing here every week.”

Cahill flies high for the Socceroos. Picture: George Salpigtidis

A little over a week ago, Cahill reopened his stoush with the FFA, denying he’d been approached to play in the A-League and challenging “big boss man” Gallop to make him an offer.

Cahill and FFA have long been at an impasse over the governing body’s attempts to bring the Socceroos’ most commercially valuable name to the domestic competition.

A war of words escalated in February following Cahill’s shock axing by Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.

Gallop stated at the time he and other parties had tried to sign Australia’s leading goal-scorer only to be told the A-League could not “meet his needs”, a claim Cahill firmly denied on social media.

It came after Cahill heavily criticised the A-League’s lack of vision he felt would hurt his career.

With his six-month contract at Hangzhou Greentown about to finish, the veteran striker is again pondering his future.

But while reports suggest Cahill is poised to re-sign with Hangzhou or shift to another club in China, the 36-year-old regurgitated a familiar refrain last week in Sydney.

“I’ve never closed the door on the A-League,” he said ahead of the Socceroos’ two-match friendly series with Greece.

“It’s obvious that there never has been any contact with me ... I never had a phone call.

“I’m very close with a lot of people in the league, but I can’t press the button on anything.

“I think it’s going to be left down to the big boss man of the league to decide what he wants to do.”

Originally published as David Gallop extends olive branch to Tim Cahill