Schwarzer Pleased With New Deal
With 2005 possibly being the biggest year in his footballing life to date, the last thing Qantas Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer needed was off-field distractions. Yesterday one of the potential off-field distractions was put to bed, when he signed a new deal with Middlesbrough and the relief was evident.
With 2005 possibly being the biggest year in his footballing life to date, the last thing Qantas Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer needed was off-field distractions. Yesterday one of the potential off-field distractions was put to bed, when he signed a new deal with Middlesbrough and the relief was evident.
“It-s nice to have something finally sorted out, as obviously its been going on for quite a number months now and to finally reach an agreement is good.
“It-s obviously a big bonus to have everything settled. It-s the ideal world where I don-t have to concentrate on anything else, other than playing football. I-ve still got half the season to go here at Boro and it-s a very important one for us and then in the summer we-ve got the Confederations Cup which is obviously a massive importance to the national side and ideal preparation for the World Cup qualifiers later in the year.
While Schwarzer didn-t disclose details of the deal, he did confirm that it was for three years and and will include a testimonial match for 10 years service with the club he joined in 1997.
“I have been at the club quite a long, long time now and we are having the best season we-ve ever had while I have been here. I-ve enjoyed my time thoroughly and in particular in having a goalkeeper coach like Paul Barron has tremendously and improved me even more and the club itself have gone out of the way to help me in reaching a deal. The deal will also include a testimonial match.
Asked if he had received any serious offers from other clubs, Schwarzer said that while the speculation was flattering, the only club he was negotiating with was Boro.
“I have always been negotiating with Boro, so the decision wasn-t a difficult one to make for me, it was just a matter of both parties being happy with the final deal.
“It-s an improved deal and I am very happy with it, otherwise I wouldn-t have signed. I feel the club have gone out of its way to try and keep me here and I-ve always been happy to stay.”
The deal will take Schwarzer through to the summer of 2008 and he hopes it will not be the last contract he signs, even though he will be 35 at the time. He did not rule out a return to Australia to play in the Hyundai A-League.
“I feel very fit and very well and while three years is a long time in football, its something I will have to look at the closer to the time.”
Meanwhile Schwarzer is looking forward to the year ahead with the national team, starting with the match against South Africa in Durban early next month.
“As far as I am concerned I am available for the South African game and if selected I am prepared to be there. The more you play, the more you feel comfortable and better prepared you are for the major tournaments and games.”
With Boro currently still in the UEFA Cup competition and in 6th place in the Premiership, he still believes Champions League qualification is still possible, despite being eight points behind fourth placed Everton.
“Qualifying for the Champions League is in our hands and consistency is vital. Our remaining fixtures for the season are all winnable so it comes down to us. We-ve still got Arsenal to play at home, but they are not playing particularly well at the moment in time and still have Liverpool away and if we are to reach fourth spot, we have to win these games.”
Boro-s hopes of achieving that could rest on the shoulders of one player that is missing at the moment, his Qantas Socceroo teammate Mark Viduka, who has missed the last few matches with a hamstring injury.
“Viduka has just returned from spending time in London with Les (Gelis) and Anthony (Crea) and is back in training, but I think he will still be a few weeks off yet.”