In an interview with KEEPUP’s Sacha Pisani, Western Sydney Wanderers recruit Jack Rodwell speaks about life in the Isuzu UTE A-League, his ambitions and career so far after relocating to Australia.
Jack Rodwell has only been in Australia for less than six months but the former England international is already aware of the A-Leagues’ huge potential.
Once the Premier League’s next big thing, Rodwell is now playing for Western Sydney Wanderers in the Isuzu UTE A-League, having relocated down under with his Australian wife and two kids late last year.
Rodwell was the name on everyone’s lips when he broke through at boyhood club Everton as a baby-faced 16-year-old in 2007 before a big-money switch to Manchester City five years later.
Injuries and form derailed Rodwell’s career, but still only 30, he headlines an exciting new era in Australian football and is keen to awaken a sleeping giant.
“There are a lot of players wanting pictures of the beach,” Rodwell told KEEPUP when asked if he had spoken to any of his British counterparts regarding a switch to Australia following the arrivals of ex-Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge and former Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson.
“Obviously they look at it and think the lifestyle is amazing, which it is. But for me, I’m 30 and physically I feel brilliant. I’m not looking at this as a retirement lifestyle role, I’m really not. There’s been a few this season and let’s hope it continues as well because it has such great potential.
“I feel like it’s almost a sleeping giant here. Hopefully it can continue to grow and attract big players. Hopefully there’s more of an influx every year.”
Rodwell – who is as hungry as ever – is enjoying a fresh start in life and in football after returning to the country where he met his wife, Alana, during Everton’s pre-season tour of Australia in 2010.
The Englishman is now back on Aussie shores, this time with his wife, who is originally from Western Sydney, and their two children.
After just one Premier League appearance across two seasons at Sheffield United and only 73 minutes of action in total, Rodwell is permanently based in Australia, where he signed a one-year deal with the Wanderers ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
“I’ve always looked at it and thought it kind of makes sense,” Rodwell – who played alongside Socceroos great Tim Cahill at Goodison Park – said on moving to Australia. “You see players go to America. You can look at it and say it’s a lifestyle choice and obviously places like that offer a great lifestyle. But for me, it wasn’t necessarily about a lifestyle choice. It just made sense in terms of my wife being from here. If you wanted a change, then it makes sense.
“Obviously I have kids and that comes into play as well. I always wanted to play abroad anyway, so that just narrows it down. You want to pick somewhere family-friendly and Australia is a great place to live. It’s not necessarily a lifestyle choice for me playing here, it’s a career choice. But with kids, family and wife being from here, it ticks a lot of boxes and it happens to be a beautiful place.”
Rodwell’s start to life in the A-League Men has been a frustrating one due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on the competition and fixtures, and poor form.
Carl Robinson was sacked in the aftermath of last month’s 3-0 loss to Brisbane Roar, with the Wanderers turning to former Western United and Wellington Phoenix head coach Mark Ruden.
The Wanderers have managed just two wins from 10 league games as they sit second bottom in the standings ahead of Wednesday’s showdown against Melbourne Victory.
“It’s been a bit stop-start but I’m enjoying it,” Rodwell said. “The results haven’t gone perfect for us but the mood in the dressing room is still very positive. I’m really enjoying it, it’s a good environment to be in.”
Rodwell’s career has also taken him to Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers. The three-time international, however, did not appear with Sheffield United last term.
Not since 2018-19 – when he featured in 21 Championship games for Blackburn – had Rodwell played regular football.
In the A-Leagues, Rodwell already has two goals to his name through seven matches – his strike against defending champions Melbourne City earlier this month his first since January 2019 – as the adopted Australian eyes consistent minutes and success in Western Sydney.
“Playing regular football is the number one thing for me,” he said. “I didn’t manage to do that last season and that’s frustrating for a player. Helping the team do as good as we can really. See where the season takes you personally and as a group. I’m playing now, which I’m really enjoying.
“On a personal note, I’m not really looking beyond this season. I’m just looking at it that I’m enjoying it, it’s a great group of lads. As a team, we want to pick up more results and make the play-offs. (It was) our aim at the beginning of the season and it hasn’t changed. I feel like we’re halfway through the season but we’re not, but we want to be successful.
“Our mentality is remaining the same. It feels like we’re so far into it, but we’ve only played six games. The more we play hopefully, the more results we pick up.”
Much has been made about Rodwell and his career to date, with those in his homeland viewing him as one of the Premier League’s greatest unfilled talents.
Despite the ups and downs since his historic debut as a 16-year-old for Everton in the UEFA Cup/Europa League 15 years ago, Rodwell hasn’t fallen out of love with the game. The smiling Englishman retains a positive outlook.
“Not just football, but life, there’s ups and downs and obviously my career has had ups and downs. A lot of very good highs and some lows as well,” added Rodwell, who joined Everton’s academy aged seven. “That’s life in general but it’s highlighted in football a lot more extreme. But for me, it’s about having a good network around you.
“As much as I love football and my drive is football every day, since I was seven I’ve lived, breathed and eaten football, it’s been my whole life. But when you have kids, there are more important things in life. So when you’re having a bad day, bad season or whatever it is, and you come home to your kids, wife or whoever, it makes you appreciate life in general.
“As much with me saying this, I still take football probably a bit too seriously, it’s not like I’m saying I don’t care about football. If anything, I’m still the opposite and I always have been, but just having the good network around me has helped.”
