David Hall
 
 
 
 

Tim Cahill’s frank assessment of the Hyundai A-League as a “step backwards” is hardly a ringing endorsement of our local competition but whatever your opinion of the A-League, surely we might expect a little more diplomacy from a Qantas Socceroo?

As I wrote last week, Cahill’s decision to sign for the New York Red Bulls was the right move for him.

We can’t deny the MLS is stronger than the A-League, that Cahill is still much too good a player to return to Australia just yet and that no local club ever had a chance of signing him.

The switch will ensure he continues to play to a standard and in an environment that will keep him in excellent condition for the national team.

But Tim’s assessment of our local league was implicit in his decision to head to the States; stating it explicitly will cause a stir, no matter many people actually agree with him. And while we can say that – should he?

Cahill is one of our most talented, honest and committed footballers and we’re proud to call him a Socceroo but as one of our most senior representatives, this probably wasn’t his smartest statement ever:

“Moving to the A-League, in all fairness, would have been a step backwards. No disrespect, but I still want to play at a high level, there’s still another World Cup for me to play, to qualify for with Australia.

“I didn’t speak to any A-League clubs and it was never in my plans.”

Tim, Tim, Tim... Couldn’t you have just left it unsaid? If the A-League asked you if its arse looked big in these jeans, what would you say?

Personally, I have no problem with his appraisal; as I suggested in my previous blog, I actually agree with him.

But couldn’t he have buttered us up a bit more? A little bit of sugar and all that? Perhaps just saying, “It wasn’t the right time for me” might have worked better.

What do you think of Tim’s comments? Were they fair? Was it bad judgement from a senior Socceroo? Or is it a non-issue, one we should just take it on the chin and move on?

Either way, if Tim comes to your place for dinner, you better hope your soufflé is up to scratch...

The views expressed in this article are purely those of the author and do not reflect those of FFA.

 
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author, and do not reflect those of Football Federation Australia.
Comments (19)
 
Completely wrong - it is disrespect. At no time has Galaxy seriously looked a league better than the 3? teams that the HAL has provided! Tim has never played a HAL team, nor played in the comp. Disgusted. Playing with Henry is one thing, playing
Bergs  |  
9 Aug 2012 02:42 PM
 
 
We gave Pim stick for talking down the HAL and we're happy when Holger says encouraging things about our league. So the same standard should be set by our Socceroos legends. Please don't talk us down. We know you're going for the money and the experience of living in a different country. The MLS standard is not way above the HAL. Some respect for the Australian game please. But happy to have you in the HAL if you want.
Stevo  |  
7 Aug 2012 06:17 AM
 
 
Wake up all you football illiterates. Timmy is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT in his assessment of the A league Compared to MLS or any other where the FACTS speak for themselves. Can't trust anyone to TELL THE TRUTH anymore for reasons of fear, ridicule, correctness blah blah. Who in OZ involved in the sport at the top is going to bag the people they work for??? it is up to peopke not afraid to speak up to tell us without the SPIN. The league is what it is after 40 years of not getting it right and other nations overtaking us. Stop the $$&^ you journos and tell it like it is. Why isn't anyone paying these guys what they are worth in the A league instead of criticising him for taking the money? Who would drop the standard they are playing plus a massive pay cut to be a patriot. YES THE MLS IS BETTER and YES there is more money there.
kb  |  
6 Aug 2012 05:47 PM
 
 
A chanve to rubbish our league fits in well with his managments team to establish a Cahill acedemy in australia upon retirement. Keep bagging our current product and then promise galuable parents the correct path!!!!. Tim TIm Tim- disappointing
robbo  |  
6 Aug 2012 09:52 AM
 
 
I think Australia deserves better from the likes of Tim. As an Everton fan that has always respected Cahil I must admit I am very disappointed in his decision not to come back and play in the A League. Its no good coming back in 3 years when hes way past his best, Give credit to Emerton and Kewel for coming home and giving back to a Sport that seriously needs all the help it can get from their stars! Cahil has gone for the money, its just greed and what really makes me sick is when you listen to him going on about how much he loves Australia and how he wants to see football grow in this Country. Really Tim?
Lee  |  
3 Aug 2012 11:16 PM
 
 
What a load of garbage Tim. Playing with american and canadian players is a better standard than the A-League, as if. The truth is about money and the fact that he would not make much of an impact in the A-League, thus costing him a place in the Socceroos team. I watch the MLS on ESPN and the standard is about the same as the A-League. In the last world cup, only two players in the MLS made the US national team.
Gary Cerulli  |  
3 Aug 2012 02:29 PM
 
 
rome wasn't built in a day. in time our league will be of a better standard. but it doesn't help our cause when our heros are also rubbishing it. his comments unfortunately "support" the nrl/afl centric media in australia which also rubbishes our sport at any opportunity. tim you are better than that. criticising our domestic league will turn fans away from the sport entirely, including at socceroos matches. perceptions tend to trickle down.
mark  |  
3 Aug 2012 12:30 PM
 
 
Spot on article! Ideally we want our best to come back and contribute to the growth of the HAL, but I can certainly understand that as an individual that wouldn't always be in your best interests, as in this case. But instead of saying it how he said it he could have said something like 'from all i've heard and seen the a-league just keeps getting better every year, but at this stage it just wouldn't have been the right move for me and my family'. All he has to do is give a little sugar coating and its good publicity for the HAL.
Dave  |  
2 Aug 2012 11:09 PM
 
 
someone had to tell it how it is and why not have a champ like cahill say it :) our league is young we have loads of improvment to do.
corie  |  
2 Aug 2012 10:54 PM
 
 
Tim Cahill has run himself into the ground every time he has stepped onto the pitch in an Australian shirt, and every opportunity he had to represent us, despite the tiring journey back and forth from Europe, he did, regardless of the impact on him, his club, or his family. The guy has earned the right to have, and voice whatever opinion he chooses, the rest of us, should just focus on trying to make the a-league good enough for players of his calibre.
Shaun  |  
2 Aug 2012 10:20 PM
 
 
@Charlie, at least Tim is actually being honest with himself. Going to A-League from EPL is going backwards, why should he keep his mouth shut? The media asked the questions, he gives the answer. Harry Kewell only praised the A-League to get a big pay check. Don't take it too personally Charlie, you're slightly butt hurt. Tim is only making a decision that will look after his well-being.
Rob  |  
2 Aug 2012 06:53 PM
 
 
Spot on there Charlie, no excuse for talking down to your countries league. Maybe he should try playing here before he calls it a poor league, well Cahill you fat-head, I hope you rot away in the MLS and never receive another cap for the socceroos,
Scott  |  
2 Aug 2012 06:03 PM
 
 
Australia made him what he is? That's pretty disrespectful to Millwall and Everton. As far as Cahill's comments are concerned, it's unfortunate, but it's a non-issue and will be forgotten soon enough.
Eric  |  
2 Aug 2012 05:57 PM
 
 
He should learn to keep his big mouth shut, how can he rubbish the A-League when he did not even play in it, what would he know, i have lost all respect for this bighead, he forgot that Australia made him what he is. A big contrast to the one and only great player that goes by the name of Harry Kewell, he played in the league and he praised it.
Charlie  |  
2 Aug 2012 04:58 PM
 
 
How can we take it 'personally'? Why would he return here ? We are a very young league with limited finances and recovering from the crises of last season. The governance and promotion of the game has a very long way to go. The A-League needs both FTA and Foxtel coverage to promote the game within our own country; a stabilising from the adding and subtracting of clubs that we have seen recently, more investment and growing of the fan base. Until then we are a fledgling league.
Jim  |  
31 Jul 2012 08:19 PM
 
 
Tim found success himself the hard way and calls a spade a spade with no intended disrespect I'm sure. The A League is still developing and as he suggested is not at the level he wants to play at this stage of his career. He's given more time than most back to the Australian community and deserves to be heard. Good luck Timmy.
Steve  |  
31 Jul 2012 06:04 PM
 
 
Well the A-League is in shambles with Palmer screwing up and causing GCU to leave and West Sydney will possibly go after 2 seasons as the A-League needs to be advertised on SBS or another free to air TV channel. Cahill is right in some ways as the A-League is only broadcast on FOXTEL.
Kristian Keogh  |  
31 Jul 2012 05:28 PM
 
 
Too honest? No way, Cahill has a mind of his own and shouldn't have to pander to the whims of what FFA want from him. He has earned that right.
John  |  
31 Jul 2012 03:20 PM
 
 
We shouldn't take it personally, Tim is a great talent and can still contribute at the top level. The A-league is a great local competition but let's be serious, it's not a scratch on the Premier League. We have to be realistic about our league like 99% of other countries are. To expect Tim to come back at this point is premature.
Martin  |  
31 Jul 2012 03:10 PM
 
Poll
Who is Australia's best young prospect?






David Hall

Editor of footballaustralia.com.au, former editor of Australian Football Weekly and The Full90, and a former Fox Sports and Alpha magazine journalist, David Hall is a football tragic.

PHOTOSANDVIDEOS