Last week, the announcement emanated from White Hart Lane that American goalkeeper Brad Friedel had decided to call time on an illustrious career that spanned 21 years, predominantly spent in Europe.
While his time between the posts was not blessed with the trophy haul that his rich talent and outstanding personality deserved, he has represented some of the major clubs in English football. His curriculum vitae includes clubs that any footballer would love to ply their trade at, and for an American who by his own admission did not plan to stay in Europe for very long, this is a great achievement.
Friedel’s attempts to move to Europe faced many obstacles, but being the strong-willed, determined character he is, he found a way eventually. His first failed attempt at making his way into European football came when he was declined a work permit to join Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest. His second stint came when he was signed by Newcastle, then managed by Kevin Keegan. Yet again, the Home Office declined Friedel’s work permit application, but he was relentless in pursuit of his dream.
A third effort came when he attempted to join Sunderland, but it was no third time lucky for Friedel as his attempts to gain a British work permit showed no signs of a breakthrough. Turkey beckoned instead as he completed a transfer to join Graeme Souness at the giants Galatasaray in 1995. One season and one Turkish Cup was achieved before the then 24-year-old moved back to the United States to join Columbus Crew.
And then, the breakthrough.
In 1997, Friedel, yet again had an application denied as he sought to join Liverpool. After an appeal, his work permit was granted and a long career in English football began. Having failed to establish himself as Liverpool’s custodian, the American joined Blackburn Rovers for a reunion with Souness in 2000. Friedel spent eight years at Blackburn, winning a solitary League Cup before moving to Aston Villa in 2008. He spent three successful years at Villa and in 2011 he became their oldest ever player after starting in a 3-1 loss to Man City.
After Friedel’s contract expired in 2011, he left Aston Villa and joined Tottenham Hotspur. His move to Spurs allowed a new audience (myself included) to not only know Friedel the American goalkeeper, but to know Friedel the model professional, the amicable gentleman and the ultimate role model. But before we get into that, let us look at his brief, but successful career at Spurs.
Friedel was brought in by Harry Redknapp to replace the gifted but unreliable Heurelho Gomes. He was immediately installed as the first-choice goalkeeper for the relatively unsuccessful 2011/12 season, as a team which consisted of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Rafa Van Der Vaart and Ledley King blew a 10 point lead over fierce rivals Arsenal and ended up finishing foruth after occupying third place for the majority of the season. The rest, as they say, is history, as Harry Redknapp exited quietly through the back door of Spurs Lodge, Andre Villas-Boas entered luminously through the main entrance of Spurs’ new training ground.
Villas-Boas’ impact meant the arrival of his infamous highline at Spurs, and at the age of 41, there were doubts that Friedel could play the pivotal role of sweeper-keeper which is required in a system comprising of a high-line. These doubts manifested into reality, when on deadline day of the 2012 summer transfer window, Hugo Lloris was signed for a bargain £12 million.
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While The Frenchman’s signing meant that Friedel was to be dethroned as Spurs’ No.1, Villas-Boas though, delayed the coronation by three months to the surprise of football fans, as much as to the annoyance of France manager Didier Dechamps. Friedel continued in goal from the start of the season up until October and when Lloris made his debut against Aston Villa on October 7th 2012, he ended a phenomenal record set by Friedel that is unlikely to be broken any time soon. Between his spell at Blackburn in 2004 and his subsequent swansong at Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, the veteran shotstopper amassed an unbelievable three hundred and ten (310), consecutive Premier League starts.
Was Villas-Boas keeping his best keeper out of the side in a period when results were not setting the world alight, in order to allow Friedel to extend his outstanding record? If he was, it is testament to the exceptional individual that the American is. When Villas-Boas was under pressure from a demanding White Hart Lane crowd to not only improve the performances after a slow start but also to integrate the new world class keeper that was signed in the summer into the team, he stuck to his guns and he allowed Fridel to cement a legacy. And he deserved nothing less.
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In the week where one of his old teammates – Jake Livermore, tested positive for cocaine, and in a season where Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker have been in the back pages due to cigarette smoking and “hippy crack” use, you have to reflect. Friedel, over 20 years has gone about his career with no controversy. Footballers are not saints. Even charismatic and innocent Ryan Giggs has courted controversy during his 20+ year career. Friedel’s run has been devoid of that, and that is down to his mellow nature as much as his ability to keep his private life secure in a world where media attention is excessive, if not overbearing on those in the public eye.
Although his illustrious playing career is coming to an end, we have not seen the last of Friedel. He will move back to the States in July to fulfill media commitments with Fox Sports, as well as completing his UEFA Pro License. He will also stay on at Tottenham as a club ambassador.
A gentleman of his stature and of his character will be missed on the training ground. Hopefully he is giving another chance on Sunday to break another record (he will be the oldest player to play in the Premier League if he features against Everton).
From having three work permit applications rejected to playing 310 consecutive Premier League games. The eventful road of Brad Friedel’s career is coming to an end and he has travelled it with dignity and professionalism.
Farewell, Brad!
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