- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
He said ciao, but not goodbye. We all saw it coming, but there was still a sinking feeling when Alessandro Del Piero brought an end to his Sydney FC playing career on Monday in sombre fashion.
There was no red carpet, no big announcement in front of the Sydney Opera House, no final farewell in front of the fans – perhaps to allow club veteran Terry McFlynn to soak up the glory on the final day of the regular season.
We anticipated Sydney FC would be turning to the future, that the Italian legend had served his time on the pitch in Australia. It seemed highly unlikely that Del Piero’s salary demands would match his output next season, or at least that Sydney would take that risk.
Without doubt, the 39-year-old has provided bang for his buck.
Think the single-handed destruction of Wellington Phoenix last season, the spectacular free kick against Emile Heskey’s Newcastle to open his account, derby goals and that deft touch on so many highlight reels. Then think shirt sales, bums on seats (Adelaide’s Juventus contingent comes to mind) and the fanfare created by a pre-season trip to Italy.
September 16, 2012: Del Piero arrives at Sydney Airport. Black and white dominates sky blue. They were there for the man, but became part of the club.
“I’m definitely a Sydney fan now because of Del Piero,” one admirer said.
“I’ve never been to an A-League game, but now I’ll be going to every Del Piero game I can attend,” said another.
Euro snobs, as they are so often labelled by A-League aficionados, had a reason to convert to the local game.
Of course, the true test will be whether those who gravitated towards Allianz Stadium to watch the maestro have seen enough to warrant their continued attention now he has left the park.
On arrival, Del Piero declared: “I’m not here for the end of my career.” But there would’ve been nothing wrong with that. His exit letter yesterday was deliberately ambiguous. It’s unlikely even he knows what the future holds and there are undoubtedly opportunities to consider. But the fact he specifically mentioned only ending his playing career in the A-League suggests retirement is not on his mind.
Just seven months from his 40th birthday, it would be a bold move for Del Piero to continue playing. There will be the criticism of stretching out for one last pay day, then the natural fade of clocking up another year on the legs. He was brilliant in his first season with Sydney, good in the second.
It’s been a glittering career – Champions League campaigns, World Cups, Scudetti. There wouldn’t be much left on the attacker’s bucket list. If he hangs up the boots now, he will bow out as one of football’s most influential of the century. And that’s how such a talent deserves to be remembered.
The prospect of returning to play in Europe, or even the MLS, seems highly unlikely for Del Piero, leaving a switch to Asia or the Middle East as the only possible moves.
He will do well to learn from the example of Robbie Fowler, whose move to Thai side Muangthong United for one season provided an underwhelming end to his career.
While saying goodbye is the hardest decision of all, the timing is right for Alessandro to hang up the boots altogether and focus on the next phase.
There have been steady murmurs over the last few months that a move into the coaching ranks is imminent and it is likely that Del Piero served as an understudy to Frank Farina and Steve Corica over the last two seasons.
Whether it be in an assistant role or even a more senior position, Del Piero should arguably leave his playing legacy behind and use the one tool whose sharpness hasn’t dulled – his football mind. After over 20 years in the game his tactical nous is second to few others, and while we shouldn’t be greedy, the A-League would be an ideal platform to begin his managerial venture.
As it stands, Del Piero is a true champion of the game and squeezed out just the right amount of juice from his playing career. Preserve that, I say.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.