Tim Cahill retires from football, hints on a coaching career

The former Socceroos captain is keen to make the most of retirement by taking up coaching.

After a career spanning more than two decades, the Australian forward Tim Cahill has hung up his boots as his last professional contract would expire at the end of March 2019. His final stint came in India playing for Jamshedpur FC, which finished fifth at the end of the 2018-19 season. 

In November 2018, Cahill had announced his retirement from international football after the FIFA World Cup 2018, in which Australia failed to impress. He bid adieu to the national team, as their leading goalscorer and having set the record of representing the Socceroos in four World Cups from 2006 to 2018.

Having scored in 170 outings from his total of 705 games for the seven clubs he has played in, Cahill is by miles the best player the country has produced. When asked if it was the best time to call his time on the field he said, "I’m an old man now in football years."I’d love to keep playing, you know 39, had a great stint for six months in India," said Cahill to Optus Sports.

He continued, "But, I’m interested in TV, going to start my A-Licence and spend quality time with my family and chill out for a bit. It was amazing to play in four big continents. I had a great career and I’m really thankful."

During his last years, Cahill has already earned the UEFA B License and is now keen in making a career in coaching. "I’m someone that massively respects the game and I’ll take my time to learn more," he said. He added, "Coaching is something that’s definitely going to be on the horizon."

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It has been an emotional journey for Tim and back in November 2018 during his international retirement he had said, "This is the only time you’re going to see me cry."

He went on to add, "I want to say thank you, firstly to my family. For being there from Day One, The sacrifices my family made for me is the reason why every time I step on that pitch I’m fearless, I’m free. Nothing can hurt me on the pitch and everything I do is for my family."

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"Secondly, I want to thank my teammates and all the staff that I’ve worked with. The coaches, the players, without you I’ll be nothing, honestly I’ll be nothing. The coaches that are not here, the players that are not here, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart."

Alas, Cahill has already played his last match and won't have the opportunity to get on the field as a player in a competitive match again.