Yes to Yuan
When Tim Cahill is back in the country two things tend to happen, mainstream media begin to take notice of the national team and whispers of an A-League contract simmer at the surface again.
Cahill playing football in the A-League remains a pipe dream for many in FFA HQ and seems to be an easy out for many administrators. Whilst Cahill would generate tremendous interest throughout Australia it would come at a high financial cost, a cost that wouldn’t be justifiable in the current football market.
Only Cahill and his management know his asking price of returning home and although there would be a number of clubs interested, the financial loss would be irresponsible to overall running of the club. The only way Cahill would even consider coming home would be if his return was subsidised by those at the FFA through their marquee fund. Cahill would definitely fit into this category but would most likely only consider Melbourne or Sydney as a new home.
The body language of Cahill seems uninterested in a return to Australia whilst the Chinese money is willing to flow. Every time Cahill returns home he plays the “I’m willing to listen to offers” card well but for me isn’t convincing enough. At 36 (37 in December) Cahill would be a huge gamble for any club and more importantly a gamble for the league.
With the possibility of the FFA underwriting Cahill for one or two seasons it commits a large amount of capital into one asset, an ageing one at that. Cahill has always performed on the World stage for Australia and has had an impressive club career but for me the risk is too great. For eleven seasons we have been building the A-League and have seen the league grow over time.
Bringing Cahill into the league would create peak interest for the league in the mainstream media and could even help along the A-League rights negotiations but you are also creating a very dangerous precedent for any Socceroos star interested in returning home for some superannuation.
You also have to consider the high likelihood of Cahill becoming injured in the late stages of his playing career. Although not plagued by injury Tim has had his fair share of time in the medical room. The FFA would become reliant on Cahill performing well on the pitch to recoup the money invested in Cahill’s contract.
At the end of the day the FFA appear very keen to get Tim Cahill involved in one way or another but it seems Cahill and his manager just aren’t interested at this juncture in time. If Cahill is to return home he must do so on his own accord, not chasing the golden carrot that David Gallop and the FFA seem willing to hold out.
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Ach for me Cahill (or his PR team) are masters at fanning these flames. Almost too well, it all seems a bit slick doesn’t it? Regardless I think everyone involved from FFA down to Cahill have handled it badly.
Unfortunately Australia cannot match the outrageous sum of funds that are being deployed in some Asian competitions. Do I begrudge Cahill for wanting to earn as much money as possible? Absolutely not. Having said that this continued talk from Cahill et al. about its just about the competition and/or team having the right vision, has got to be pure bullshit? Especially considering he then signed for some “random” Chinese team with a reported deal worth millions of dollars. I think a lot more people would respectful of the opinion if he just said hey look I need to take care of my family. Which lets be honest, would any of us turn down mega money for doing the exact same work?
In the end I don’t think Cahill will ever come to the A-League. Too much scrutiny, pressure and chance of tarnishing is incredible record. Look at any of the other one of the other Socceroos who came back. It’s never as easy as people make it out to be.
I just hope it gets settled well before Cahill’s legacy is tarnished.
Well said Bjorn, let’s hope Timmy can pur a few good performances in for the national team and any AL discussion doesn’t dent his legacy too much.