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Cahill confirms Shenhua exit
Print Edition
TIM Cahill has said he was forced out of Shanghai Greenland Shenhua after being told that he was not part of new coach Gregorio Manzano’s plans for the 2016 season.
The 36-year-old former Everton midfielder extended his contract with the club on October 29.
In a statement posted on his official Weibo account, headlined, “Leaving Shanghai Shenhua,” the Australian said, “I’m very sorry to announce that I have reached an agreement with Shanghai Shenhua to terminate my contract after being told that I’m not part of the new coach Manzano’s plans for the 2016 season having only just signed a new contract in November.”
“This is very sad especially after what I feel I have helped to build in Shanghai Shenhua on and off the park. Just thinking about saying goodbye to my teammates and especially the amazing fans is heartbreaking.”
“Soon after his Weibo post, Greenland Shenhua made it official on its own Weibo account, “See you again, Timmy!”
“Considering the team’s strategic adjustments for the new season, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC has reached a friendly agreement with Australian player Tim Cahill to end his contract. The club wants to express sincere gratefulness to Cahill’s great contribution to Shenhua, and wish him all the best in his future career.”
Cahill joined Greenland Shenhua as a free agent from New York Red Bulls at the end of 2015. He scored 11 goals in his 28 Chinese Super League appearances for the club, and quickly became a fan favorite for his efforts both on and off the pitch.
He interacted regularly with Shenhua fans, posting pictures of his family and life in Shanghai. He had also been actively promoting his personal brand products in China.
But with the arrival of Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin from Inter Milan for 12 million euros (US$13.4 million), and the yet-to-be-confirmed signing of Nigerian international Obafemi Martins from MLS, doubts emerged about Cahill’s place in the squad despite the club extending his contract.
“Regardless of whether my contract is being honored and paid out in full, I would much rather have seen it out and finished what we started. I will always think about what could have been for us as a club in 2016,” Cahill said. “I will be able to share more information in the next 48 hours once the final details have been completed. Next chapter coming very soon!”
Cahill thanked his supporters as well as the Chinese staff members and teammates.
“You will all be remembered by my family and myself,” he wrote.
Shenhua fans responded to his blog with thousands of comments — some not so nice about the club.
“Tim good luck! You are the best player of Shenhua in recent years. You bring the fighting spirit to the team. We’ll never forget you hitting the corner pole of Hongkou. Thank you Tim Cahill!” a fan, “devils_highway,” commented.
“This is ridiculous! Sorry Timmy! Let us know where you go, I will keep supporting you and Socceroos!” wrote another who went by his pen name “Elyar.”
Yang Xiaohui, a senior Shanghai Television Station reporter and commentator said, “Personally, I don’t want to see Cahill leave Shenhua. He was the team’s top scorer who had a great fighting spirit and brought with him a sense of belonging to the team, which is rare among the club’s foreign players.
“However, given his position and age, if the club brings in new foreign players, it is also understandable that Cahill becomes a candidate to be replaced. It is the club’s decision, and they have to be responsible for it,” Yang said.
Apart from Guarin and Martins, Shenhua has Senegal striker Demba Ba, Colombian midfielder Giovanni Moreno and Australian defender Avraam Papadopoulos in its squad.
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