When questioned about returning to Australia to play football, Scotty Chipperfield once said that he would rather go back to driving Unanderra buses, than play in the A-League.
This from the guy who was supposed to be providing a lot of funding for the Wollongong bid for an A-League license.
Mark Schwarzer also vowed to never play in the A-League, “after what they did to Johnny Aloisi.”
Mark Schwarzer’s sudden and somewhat unexpected retirement from the Socceroos for international matches comes only a few hours before the announcement of Ange Postecoglou’s squad for the Socceroos friendly against Costa Rica.
Schwarzer is undoubtedly one of the best and most successful goal keepers to ever play for Australia, but did he anticipate his demise and recognised the need to inject new blood and new hope into the Socceroos squad for Brazil 2014.
Australia’s best team and possibly best results came in 2006 under Guus Hiddink in the FIFA World Cup in Germany.
The squad that competed in Germany 2006 comprised of:
John Aloisi, Michael Beauchamp, Marco Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Scott Chipperfield, Ante Covic, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella, Zeljko Kalac, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Stan Lazaridis, Mark Milligan, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Tony Popovic, Mark Schwarzer, Josip Skoko, Mile Sterjovski, Archie Thompson, Mark Viduka and Luke Wilkshire.
More than half that group is retired and no longer available for selection in the Socceroos squads. The other half of them are still playing and vying for a spot at Brazil 2014 and a record third straight appearance in a FIFA World Cup finals tournament.
When is the best time to retire and is it entirely the players decision? Perhaps they saw the writing on the wall with the appointment of Ange Postecoglou.
Although, I thought Ange’s selections were very conservative and didn’t radically alter the squad’s make up, he could have blooded some more younger players, particularly if he is carrying some of the older players with him to Brazil.
Perhaps it’s a question of giving everyone a chance to adapt to his playing style, because we all know Ange is just going to select players and build the team to fit his playing style.
I don’t think re-selecting players like former captain Neill is the problem, it depends of who he plays and how they play.
This recent squad announcement may be the nucleus of a superior Ange Postecoglou-schooled team in there, just waiting to come out. He can certainly also teach them some determination and pride and instruct them on the privileged position they have and what they are striving to achieve.
A few of the Golden Generation see it as their divine right to play for the Socceroos and are already planning their trip to Brazil.
This is the time when hard decisions need to be made about the Socceroos.
For the sake of saving face in Brazil 2014 let’s just hope Ange is still working on it.
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/socceroo-mark-schwarzer-rules-out-ever-moving-to-the-a-league/story-e6frf4l3-1226112402532 He was given a hard time at SFC because he was the marquee player and payed millions but couldn't score a goal. If the A-League is so backward, then how come these guys come back to Australia and don't be superstars like they think they are?
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
I remember it was mentioned in this forum http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/274154,chipperfield-backs-leftback-mckay.aspx Tim Cahill also said it would be a "backward step" to play in the A-League. These guys should realise that they are insulting the bread and butter football followers of this country, especially as this is where they originally learned to play and developed a love for the game. Who do they think they are? Playing for the Socceroos is no longer their God given right - they have to earn it.
Squizz
Guest
It was early on and before many from WSW were paying attention. Chippers was talking about it on Twitter saying he would be inside the cap and would like to mentor younger players. Poppa talked to him and reality set in. Below is his spin on what happened but I remember reading somewhere at the time that Poppa said thanks but no thanks http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/244073,scott-chipperfields-wanderers-u-turn.aspx Jun 27 2012 SOCCEROOS veteran Scott Chipperfield will not return to Australia to finish his football career at Western Sydney Wanderers, preferring to join an amateur club in Switzerland for family reasons. The 36-year-old - who has represented his country on 68 occasions - recently left Swiss outfit FC Basel after 11 years, seven league titles and six Swiss Cups. Earlier this month, Chipperfield signed a short-term deal with Tarrawanna in the Illawarra Premier League as he prepared to return to Australia. It was widely expected that at the conclusion of his short-term contract with Tarrawanna, he would sign with an A-League club, tipped to be the newly formed Western Sydney Wanderers. But Chipperfield revealed on Twitter on Tuesday night that he would remain in Switzerland and play amateur football. "I have decided to retire from pro football and will sign with an amateur team in Basel," Chipperfield wrote. "Would have loved to have played for West Sydney in their debut season but due to family reasons I will stay. Been lucky to have had a long and successful career. Look forward to a new challenge." In responses to fans, Chipperfield revealed he had spoken to Wanderers coach Tony Popovic about joining the club and said he 'would have liked to have worked with him'. The versatile player also said he would sign on Wednesday with a team in the country's third tier. The news is a blow to Wanderers FC who have so far only officially signed three players - Aaron Mooy, Tarek Elrich and Kwabena Appiah-Kubi - with the season just three months away from beginning.
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
Lucas Neil whilst he needs to retire, is not the former captain yet.
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
What happened to Johnny Alosi?
Jukes
Guest
That's the first I heard that. Even if he did try to break the WSW side there would be no chance he would be good enough to make it. How long has he been retired since he came back.
Squizz
Guest
If Chippers wanted to play in the HAL why did he try to get a gig at WSW before Poppa told him he wasn't needed.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
I have it on good authority that public transport is high quality in the Gong!