Tim Cahill talks about his return to English football

Tim Cahill has nothing to prove to anyone regarding his football career, but to himself.

“Every single player I’ve played with who now manage, they say ‘Don’t retire if you can still run’. Because some of them stopped a bit earlier, and they miss it.”

He, of course, can still run, and not just run but is looking to play in the World Cup this coming summer. Cahill has already played in three of the global showcases, and scored in every one of them. Yet somehow even at the age of 38 is still hungry to join a very limited group of international footballers to have played in four World Cups, all while playing for the Australia national team.

“That was the conversation I had with David Moyes when I left Everton. I said if I stayed I’d have to retire at 35, and not play for the national team anymore. I knew that, because there’s too many games. I made a decision that was best for both. I’ll never give up on the national team.”

Cahill played at Millwall between 1998-2004, and his return for the next few months sounds like a farewell tour, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

“It’s romantic, it’s fantastic, it ticks all those boxes - but it was the right decision. I don’t want this to just be a romantic story. I can’t think the gaffer and everyone at the club enough for making me feel welcome. I’m home now.

“Don’t think I haven’t done my homework. I had a great 18 months playing back in Australia,” he says. “One game a week, no pressure. Back in Australia it was hard, but it was comfortable. The A League is not the Championship. You can go through the motions, enjoy it, ten teams in the league.”

He had more than a few reasons to return to England though.

“I’ve got Millwall and Everton on my skin for a reason. I’ve been loyal to those clubs because they helped mould me.

“I talk with David Moyes all the time. People call him my second dad. We’ve always kept in contact, because he’s a gentleman: it’s not just football, it’s about your family and everything else. I love him to bits. Bill Kenwright too.”

Welcome back to England Timmy, and here’s wishing you all the very best, both at The Den and in the World Cup as well!

(Quotes & video courtesy of football.london)