Exclusive: Harry Kewell hasn't ruled out a return to professional football

Exclusive: Harry Kewell hasn't ruled out a return to professional football

0
SHARE

Outside90 sits down with Socceroos legend Harry Kewell to discuss his contribution to grassroots, return to Anfield and the possibility of playing again. 

If you had asked Josh Hercus 10 years ago if there was a possibility he would sit down with Harry Kewell in his hometown of Bendigo, he would have thought you were mad.

However, there he was sitting at the local Spring Gully Soccer Club, one-on-one with the man himself. None of this would have been possible without Harry’s dedication to give back to grassroots football. The Harry Kewell Academy, which is embarking on a tour of regional Victoria and Queensland, was created through his commercial partnership with Jeep, working with Veronica Johns, the first Australian female to head a car company.

“With the help of Jeep, I am able to reach regional towns in Australia like Bendigo. I look forward to clinics like today where coaching kids in regional locations to help them reach their potential,” Kewell said.

Kewell was asked about the best way for young Australian players to reach their football potential, with the question of when to go to Europe still a hot topic.

“If a young player who came to me and asked if he should move to Europe at a young age would be advising him to go, as that is where the greatest level of competition can be found provided they had the necessary skills and mental strength to be able to succeed in that environment.”

After starting his journey in Europe at the tender age of 15 with Leeds United and breaking into the first team at only 17, Kewell spent eight years at Elland Road and at one point was regarded as the best young player in the world. A dream move to the club he supported as a boy, Liverpool, followed including winning the Champions League in 2005. Persistent injuries ended his time at Anfield, and the attacker later went on to play for Galatasaray, Melbourne Victory, Al-Gharafa and Melbourne City.

Kewell made his first official return to Anfield since 2008 last month, playing in Jamie Carragher’s XI in the Steven Gerrard testimonial match. The 36-year-old relished the experience at his old stomping ground.

“It was great to be part of a game raising money for such causes, I loved being out on the pitch at Anfield, it was tremendous to have the fans sing me song once again.” he said.

The opportunity to return to his former club also allowed Kewell to reflect back on achieving the greatest goal for a player in club football, winning the Champions League with Liverpool back in 2005.

From a team perspective it was just brilliant, to achieve that goal with your teammates, on a more personal level it was also heartbreaking. To go down with an injury so early in the match, throughout my career I have never shied away from a fight, so that was certainly disappointing.”

While it is obvious Liverpool is a club that Kewell loves, his passion for the national team shone through.

“I think it [the Asian Cup win] was a fantastic result for Australia and really showed one of our strengths in determination, highlighted by Tomi Juric never giving up for the ball against South Korea. However, the real test for this side is going to be the World Cup. To win that is what every nation needs to strive for, so it [the national team] will be judged in respect to the tournament in Russia in 2018.”

Despite announcing his retirement from professional football early last year, Kewell may yet make a return to the pitch. The 36-year-old refused to rule out playing in competitions like the Indian Premier League, where fellow Liverpool favourite Luis Garcia ended his career.

“There is certainly a possibility of looking at this in the future, the fact it is a short league would be appealing to me.”

What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter@Outside90 and like us on Facebook.

LEAVE A REPLY