|
Australia great Tim Cahill is open to offers to continue playing club football in the United States but has ruled out any prospect of an A-League return. Cahill spent a season and a half with Melbourne City and said he enjoyed the experience but has no interest in coming back to play in Australia because he intends to live in America. But the 38-year-old said he would be open to collaboration with Football Federation Australia, serving as an "ambassador" to the A-League and beginning a potential career in coaching. "I've not really entertained anyone when it comes to football because I've been selfish enough to have some serious family time," Cahill told a press conference in Sydney, where he was speaking for the first time since announcing his international retirement earlier in the week. "As for domestic [football], there could be an opportunity. I've still got time to decide. "I've heard a lot of whispers about the A-League ... I felt like I had a successful time here. "[But] to live in America and try and play in the A-League will be impossible so respectfully, I'd like to thank everyone that's been talking about me coming home. To draw a line in the sand there, that will just stop any whispers. "I'm not connected to any A-League groups or anything whatsoever but what I am connected to is the FFA and the Socceroos, where my support will be there with whatever they need. "I think for me, it feels great to be neutral and give that support as an ambassador for football in Australia and the sport in general." Cahill, who owns a house in New Jersey, previously played in Major League Soccer with the New York Red Bulls. Whether any MLS clubs would be interested in him given his advancing years and lack of minutes last season remains to be seen. Cahill played only sparingly last season during spells with City and English Championship side Millwall, and admitted "every decision" he made in the six months leading up to the World Cup in Russia was to help him do whatever he could to help the Socceroos. He said he was "interested" in coaching and would soon fly to the UK to begin his UEFA B Licence.
|
