Schwarzer rules out playing in A-League

Not forgetting the greatest Australian footballer of all time, Stan Lazarides and his completely shabby treatment on his return home. Miss ya Stan!

Yeah, Arsenal - at almost 39 years of age. They had a problem and needed a quick fix, stopgap solution.

I suggest you grab a reputable English dictionary and look up the meaning of the word "acronym".

Corica only gets an honourable mention? Not much love there for SFC!!

He wasn't off the mark at the time the comments was made. People seem to forget this.

I, like many of you, can understand schwarzer's comments. I'm very surprised that the Aloisi experience is considered the yard stick for aussies returning home. In truth, aloisi did have a hard time here. However, I dont think his time here was influenced more by injury and board issues In terms of ausies that had success here, can I point out the following: Kevin Muscat. Though unpopular was clearly successful both personally and professionally Archie Thompson: Was amongst the best a-league players in seasons 1-3; Craig Moore: in his time with the Roar demonstrated his absolute class; Jason Culine: a cut above in his time in the a-league. Still is one of the best. a shining example of socecroos returning. Ljubo Miličević - definite class shown in the a-league, although came to a difficult end; Tony Popovic, Ned Zelic, Paul Okon: also arrived here late in their careers, but definitely demonstrated class. Note: in his short time, bosnich did well in the a-league too. While the last few were only here a short time, the still were able to play a key role for their respective teams. the contribution of these players leads me to believe that the a-league is definitely not a wasteland. Unless aloisi's experience is becoming the norm. honourable mentions; mile sterjovski, jacob burns, steve corica,

So I'm guessing Mark never had any disgruntle passionate English fans. Just all hugs and kisses. C'mon Mark. You didn't really make those comments.

RF I have to say that's specualtive at best. No doubt that at his peak, Bosnich was an extraordinary goalkeeper. However, Bosnich's best years occured while he was in his early 20s and that is very unusual for a goalkeeper. The fact he succumbed to drug issues can't be discounted becasue it indicates a disconnect with the game and a lack of discipline, and they are both attributes a goalkeeper needs in spades. It's a lonely old job between them sticks, and somewhere along the line, Bosnich lost the mental aptitude that his undoubted brilliance needed. Schwarzer has gotten better throughout his 30s. If/when he steps out to play Thailand on September 2nd, he will begin his sixth World Cup campaign - is there many players on the world stage that have been involved in 6 World Cup campaigns?

jamesb If they are good enough, they will. But Schwarzer is, at the moment, still the best Australian goalkeeper available, and by a long way. There is nothing wrong with him having an ambition to play onto the 2014 World Cup (assuming we qualify). And if in 2014, at the age of 41, he is still at the top of his game, then the others will have to cool their heels or get better quickly.

Well jeans lehamann, David jAMES, peter Shilton, Edwin Van da sar , jose Chilavert, Rene higueita, were goal keepers still playing at a high standard well into there vetran years.

While it's true that the legendary Dino Zoff captained Gli Azzurri to a world cup aged 40, I too believe that 2014 is a bridge too far for Schwarzer (plus a few other socceroos)

you know what? if all of Australias best players play in the A-League, while at the same time all the foreign players left the EPL, chances are the playing standards between the two leagues would narrow considerably. still the EPL would be stronger, but thats what you get where one country loves the game for decades, while the other country is divided and has a league thats gone for 6 years.

Tom Smithies says: @1MarkSchwarzer seems to be view #socceroos should come back at top of game, play for nothing, fund an A-L team and alleviate child poverty

whilst I admire what Schwarzer has achieved, he is aiming to play on until 2014. By then he'll be 42. I hope by then that Federici and Langerak make their mark and go past Mark Schwarzer. That would be more beneficial to the socceroos in the mid to long term.

Not in England it's not. Premier League or Premiership.

yeah in a highlights package

Ok. as I imagined, Schwarzer's comments have been taken totally out of context by the media (big surprise!). Thank heaven's Twitter allows us to get direct primary quotes, rather than secondary biased reporting. Here are some of Mark Schwarzer's responses on his Twitter ... * Thanks for all the discussions and given me a chance to explain my comments. I love Australia and the game back home. * There are ways for someone like me to put back in the game other than playing when I probably are no longer at the top of my game * thats why you still need to be at the top of your game to play in A League because of the level and expectation. * No worries. Its just that things can be misinterpreted so just wanted to explain my comments. Thanks for the chat * everywhere in the world it is always more difficult for the local national team players. Normal And, finally, before he went to bed to rest before tomorrow morning's match against Wales: I will be one of the first people to help out when and where i can. Now, I need to get some sleep for the game tonight. Tweet later! Source: http://twitter.com/#!/1MarkSchwarzer

Yes, it was only a practice match, but GCU, who had not played a single meaningful game in the HAL had no problems disposing of the millionaires from the EPL: Date: Wednesday, 8 July 2009 Venue: Skilled Park Final score: Gold Coast United 2 - 1 Fulham FC Scorers: GCU: Milson 80', Smeltz 86'; Fulham: Murphy: 15' Not sure if Schwarzie played, but our unofficial HAL ambassador in the National Team, Matty McKay, should say something to jog Schwarzie's memory ;-)

I've got a couple of European friends and though they are my friends I find them insufferably arrogant when it comes to their attitudes towards Australian, Americans and even British culture. Pim was an ok coach with a solid coaching career in Netherlands and Japan but he should have being made aware that a bit of diplomacy would not have gone astray when talking about the A league. I believe the job of an Australian coach is to grow the game in Australia in addition to coaching the national team. To quote former national team coach Frank Arok on his view of what the job of national team coach entails, " it is a mission." And it should be more than obvious to Schwarzer that people will take his comments and use them to their own ends when referring to the A league at a time when it is making real progress in the standard of play. I honestly don't know what he hoped to gain from saying what he did. And I don't think he is going to get away with saying it judging from what a lot of people are commenting.

Nah... in football circles the most common (only?) acronym that is used is simply: EPL.