Australia's most capped player of all-time, Mark Schwarzer, has announced his retirement from international football.
Schwarzer departs from the Socceroos having played 109 times for the national team since making his debut way back in 1993.
In that time, the 41-year old has been forced to compete with other elite keepers such as Mark Bosnich and Zeljko Kalac but outlasted them and several others.
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He has been to two World Cups and was an integral part of five World Cup qualifying campaigns. Most famously, he saved two penalties for the Socceroos in the successful play-off against Uruguay in 2005
Schwarzer originally had plans of going to Brazil with the Socceroos but it's thought the change of manager from Holger Osieck to Ange Postecoglou may have played a part in his decision.
Postecoglou is due to announce on Wednesday morning his first Australian squad for the friendly against Costa Rica at Allianz Stadium on November 19. While Postecoglou is expected to name an experienced squad for the match, he has a plan to renew the Socceroos with fresh faces in time for the world's biggest sporting event.
While Schwarzer had his heart set on playing in a third straight World Cup, his decision to sign as Petr Cech's back-up at Chelsea – where he has not played a single league match this campaign – has led to many questioning whether he would be match-hardened for Brazil.
He will continue to act as Chelsea's reserve keeper but is out of contract at the end of the year.
There will now be a major race between several well-credentialed keepers to take over from Schwarzer for the number one keeper's mantle.
Among those vying for the position are Borussia Dortmund's Mitch Langerak, Liverpool's Brad Jones, Adelaide's Eugene Galekovic, Reading's Adam Federici and Club Bruges' custodian Matt Ryan.
Mark Schwarzer
Age: 41
Born: Sydney
Position: Goalkeeper
International debut: 1993 v Canada (World Cup qualifier)
International appearances: 109
World Cups: 2006, 2010
Asian Cups: 2007, 2011
Clubs: Australia - Marconi Stallions (1990-94); Europe - Dynamo Dresden (1994-95), FC Kaiserslautern (1995-96), Bradford City (1996-97), Middlesbrough (1997-2008), Fulham (2008-13), Chelsea (2013-)
Trophies: League Cup (2003-04 with Middlesbrough)
Honours: Fulham Player of the Year 2008-09; Australian Footballer of the Year 2009, 2010; Order of Australia Medal 2009; Premier League Player of the Month (February 2010)
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/mark-schwarzer-retires-from-socceroos-20131106-2x06m.html (http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/mark-schwarzer-retires-from-socceroos-20131106-2x06m.html)
LEGEND of Australian Football..Ill never forget the Penalty saves against Uruguay to send Australia into the 2006 World Cup. Interested to see how Australia plays against Costa Rica, hopefully Ange Postecoglou introduces his 4-3-3 false 9 formation which he implemented at Brisbane and Melbourne.
Gutted for him.
Quote from: South Aussie on November 06, 2013, 02:57:43 AM
LEGEND of Australian Football..Ill never forget the Penalty saves against Uruguay to send Australia into the 2006 World Cup. Interested to see how Australia plays against Costa Rica, hopefully Ange Postecoglou introduces his 4-3-3 false 9 formation which he implemented at Brisbane and Melbourne.
I still get goosebumps watching replays of that penalty shootout. He must be disappointed but I think a change is necessary. Has been outstanding for both Australia and Fulham.
Quote from: Big Martin Jol on November 06, 2013, 03:37:45 AM
Gutted for him.
not me; if he had gone to a team where he had a chance of playing regularly, he'd still be in the mix for the WC. There were several Championship sides he could have helped, but he preferred the money at Chelsea.
Quote from: HatterDon on November 06, 2013, 04:23:55 AM
Quote from: Big Martin Jol on November 06, 2013, 03:37:45 AM
Gutted for him.
not me; if he had gone to a team where he had a chance of playing regularly, he'd still be in the mix for the WC. There were several Championship sides he could have helped, but he preferred the money at Chelsea.
+1, such a shame he'll retire as a Chelsea sub, he deserves so much more.
Quote from: HatterDon on November 06, 2013, 04:23:55 AM
Quote from: Big Martin Jol on November 06, 2013, 03:37:45 AM
Gutted for him.
not me; if he had gone to a team where he had a chance of playing regularly, he'd still be in the mix for the WC. There were several Championship sides he could have helped, but he preferred the money at Chelsea.
Absolutely, can't see how he deserves empathy.
He will always be a Fulham legend. Great world class keeper.
If we had kept him at Fulham, it would have been beneficial for both parties. We've missed him.
Sad to hear he hasn't achieved this last ambition of his career, but he is a Fulham legend, and a great pro.
Quote from: HatterDon on November 06, 2013, 04:23:55 AM
Quote from: Big Martin Jol on November 06, 2013, 03:37:45 AM
Gutted for him.
not me; if he had gone to a team where he had a chance of playing regularly, he'd still be in the mix for the WC. There were several Championship sides he could have helped, but he preferred the money at Chelsea.
:plus one: Its down to his greed so no sympathy for him whatsoever :028:
Quote from: JBH on November 06, 2013, 10:34:12 AM
Quote from: HatterDon on November 06, 2013, 04:23:55 AM
Quote from: Big Martin Jol on November 06, 2013, 03:37:45 AM
Gutted for him.
not me; if he had gone to a team where he had a chance of playing regularly, he'd still be in the mix for the WC. There were several Championship sides he could have helped, but he preferred the money at Chelsea.
:plus one: Its down to his greed so no sympathy for him whatsoever :028:
I don't know about that. I think that at the end of your career, where you know you're not 1st choice anymore, even the slim opportunity to finally be able to play in the champions league would be a big draw. I wish he had stayed and finished with us but honestly can't blame him for wanting one last crack at it. Feel for him not getting to go to the world cup just because of a manger change.
Quote from: dartfordwhite on November 06, 2013, 10:46:06 AM
Quote from: JBH on November 06, 2013, 10:34:12 AM
Quote from: HatterDon on November 06, 2013, 04:23:55 AM
Quote from: Big Martin Jol on November 06, 2013, 03:37:45 AM
Gutted for him.
not me; if he had gone to a team where he had a chance of playing regularly, he'd still be in the mix for the WC. There were several Championship sides he could have helped, but he preferred the money at Chelsea.
:plus one: Its down to his greed so no sympathy for him whatsoever :028:
I don't know about that. I think that at the end of your career, where you know you're not 1st choice anymore, even the slim opportunity to finally be able to play in the champions league would be a big draw. I wish he had stayed and finished with us but honestly can't blame him for wanting one last crack at it. Feel for him not getting to go to the world cup just because of a manger change.
Sorry but he left because he wasn't willing to fight for his place in the side and went to Chelsea where he had know chance of playing
I'm sure he knew before he signed that contract at the Dogtrack that the chance to start in Brazil was over as soon as the ink dried (barring an injury to Cech). At his age he weighed the options of starting in the Championship or being a reserve for a heavyweight, and chose the latter. Won't slate him for doing that since at 41 it probably had as much to do with not uprooting his family than anything else.
ap
Quote from: SoCalJoe on November 06, 2013, 12:10:33 PM
I'm sure he knew before he signed that contract at the Dogtrack that the chance to start in Brazil was over as soon as the ink dried (barring an injury to Cech). At his age he weighed the options of starting in the Championship or being a reserve for a heavyweight, and chose the latter. Won't slate him for doing that since at 41 it probably had as much to do with not uprooting his family than anything else.
You don't know what he thought or what influenced his decision.
I think that he definitely did want to play in the WC, and maybe thought that playing for Chelsea, with a chance of playing in European games, made him think he probably had a better chance than playing in a lower league.
But the new manager of Australia has obviously told him he isn't in his plans.
Quote from: RaySmith on November 06, 2013, 12:24:12 PM
apQuote from: SoCalJoe on November 06, 2013, 12:10:33 PM
I'm sure he knew before he signed that contract at the Dogtrack that the chance to start in Brazil was over as soon as the ink dried (barring an injury to Cech). At his age he weighed the options of starting in the Championship or being a reserve for a heavyweight, and chose the latter. Won't slate him for doing that since at 41 it probably had as much to do with not uprooting his family than anything else.
You don't know what he thought or what influenced his decision.
I think that he definitely did want to play in the WC, and maybe thought that playing for Chelsea, with a chance of playing in European games, made him think he probably had a better chance than playing in a lower league.
But the new manager of Australia has obviously told him he isn't in his plans.
True, no one knows exactly what his exact influences were, but as an educated
guess (notice how you led with 'you don't know', then followed with your own speculation?) not having to move and take his kids out of school while still being well compensated was probably factored in highly. At 25, you make career decisions on what's best for you. At 40 you tend to make career decisions on what's best for your kids.
I will agree with you this announcement didn't come without discussions w/the Australian manager.
how is he to blame foe leaving the cottage for them, we never offered him a contract, he is still better than whet we have, I wish him good luck, top top keeper
Quote from: fulham traveller on November 06, 2013, 01:32:16 PM
how is he to blame foe leaving the cottage for them, we never offered him a contract, he is still better than whet we have, I wish him good luck, top top keeper
From what I read, we offered him a contract extension but he turned it down because we wouldn't guarantee him a starting position. He then went to Chelsea where he knew he'd never start.
Quote from: SoCalJoe on November 06, 2013, 12:43:59 PM
Quote from: RaySmith on November 06, 2013, 12:24:12 PM
apQuote from: SoCalJoe on November 06, 2013, 12:10:33 PM
I'm sure he knew ...
You don't know what he thought or what influenced his decision.
I think that...
(notice how you led with 'you don't know', then followed with your own speculation?)
If you claim, SCJ, to be 'sure' of something (i.e. completely confident of being right), you can't expect other people to regard it as 'speculation' (i.e. an opinion without any definite evidence).
As such, there is nothing contradictory about RS challenging your statement and then going on to speculate himself.
Quote from: JIMMY D on November 06, 2013, 07:47:06 AM
He will always be a Fulham legend. Great world class keeper.
Absolutely. Let's remember him that way instead of sniping at his motives for going to Chelsea. Blood being thicker than water, he chose to get some cash for his family's future security, and who could blame anyone for doing that?
What's with all the poo flinging at old players over the last few years?
You're winding down to retirement, your current employer has effectively just replaced you and offered you a part-time contract. A bigger company comes along, offering you more pay with likely fewer hours (possibly even a chance to travel to exotic locations with work). More time to spend with family, doing other hobbies and generally enjoying life (in the same city for added bonus). What do you pick? Seriously...
Quote from: Arthur on November 06, 2013, 04:47:19 PM
Quote from: SoCalJoe on November 06, 2013, 12:43:59 PM
Quote from: RaySmith on November 06, 2013, 12:24:12 PM
apQuote from: SoCalJoe on November 06, 2013, 12:10:33 PM
I'm sure he knew ...
You don't know what he thought or what influenced his decision.
I think that...
(notice how you led with 'you don't know', then followed with your own speculation?)
If you claim, SCJ, to be 'sure' of something (i.e. completely confident of being right), you can't expect other people to regard it as 'speculation' (i.e. an opinion without any definite evidence).
As such, there is nothing contradictory about RS challenging your statement and then going on to speculate himself.
Arthur, I should of added the word 'pretty' or 'fairly' in between I'm and sure, since I was merely stating an opinion that once you sign on to be a reserve (even at a big club) you've severely jeopardized a spot on your national team. I'm also fairly sure Mark took that into consideration before signing that contract. I don't have a problem with RS or anyone having a different opinion since that is half the fun of following sports at a pub, on a message board, or at home with your friends and family.
Back on point, Mark was a model professional at Fulham, and for his national team even if the latter didn't end the exact way he wanted it to.
I've wondered for a little while now whether the gradual deterioration of our defence played some part in Schwarzer's decision to leave. Accepting his sincerity about his World Cup ambitions, maybe he felt that he was being too exposed by our faultering defence? In turn that may have further highlighted the decline in his 'keeping standards that had been mentioned on here and other forums. All of which may have jeopardised his shot at WC2014.
Maybe better to be at a club with a well organised or superstar defence, either of which would take the pressure off their goalie? Hull and Chelsea courted him and epitomise between them both those qualities. Although back-up at Chelsea there was the prospect of showcasing his talents on a bigger stage. Developments at FFC and the AFA cannot have been foreseen.
As I say no reason to believe it was a consideration for Schwarzer, but plausible that it was one of many factors influencing his decision
Quote from: God The Mechanic on November 06, 2013, 06:34:32 PM
What's with all the poo flinging at old players over the last few years?
You're winding down to retirement, your current employer has effectively just replaced you and offered you a part-time contract. A bigger company comes along, offering you more pay with likely fewer hours (possibly even a chance to travel to exotic locations with work). More time to spend with family, doing other hobbies and generally enjoying life (in the same city for added bonus). What do you pick? Seriously...
And probably about £2mil extra in his last 'big' pay. I think his son is at the Fulham academy as well.
He will end up being a Goalkeeper coach at one of the London clubs.
