David Gallop’s olive branch to Tim Cahill

FFA boss David Gallop went a long way to smoothing the waters of discontent between himself and Tim Cahill.

Football Federation Australia chief David Gallop and Socceroos star Tim Cahill

Has David Gallop paved the way for Tim Cahill’s move to the A-League?

The Football Federation Australia chief executive went a long way to smoothing discontent between the two after confirming he had met with the Socceroos star in Sydney last week.

Gallop released a statement yesterday admitting he regretted comments he made about Cahill earlier this year. Gallop had claimed ­Cahill knocked back A-League clubs because they could not meet his needs.

Cahill lashed out in response, saying the A-League had failed to attract big-name footballers and lacked the vision to capitalise on world class players such as Alessandro Del Piero, who had a stint with Sydney FC.

Cahill was also adamant he’d had no telephone contact with Gallop, as had been intimated by the FFA boss. Gallop conceded in his statement that his communication with Cahill at the time of his departure from Shanghai Shenhua was “via text messages”.

Gallop’s move is seen as pivotal in the restoration of the relationship between Cahill and FFA, and opening the door if he is to play in the A-League after his contract with Hangzhou Greentown in China expires next month.

As revealed exclusively in The Australian on Tuesday, cashed-up Melbourne City are making a play to sign Cahill for next season and are prepared to offer between $2 million and $3m. It is understood the two parties have been in discussions for three months.

Cahill was due to speak about his future after the Socceroos’ 2-1 loss to Greece in Melbourne on Tuesday night, but flew back to China yesterday morning after again meeting with Gallop.

While he has said he would never close the door on playing in the national comp­etition, the ­issues regarding the 36-year-old’s strained relationship with FFA were seen as a stumbling block.

That was at least removed on the weekend with Gallop extending the olive branch and declaring he would like nothing better than to see Cahill playing his club football in Australia.

“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 A-League,” Gallop said in the statement. “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 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 here, 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.”