Dumped by Shanghai – did Tim Cahill pay price for criticising Chinese football’s spending spree?
Australian star signed a new contract only in November, but has been deemed surplus to requirements with club possibly set to replace him with Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini
Australian star Tim Cahill criticised China's "revolving door" this month - less than two weeks later, it's hit him on the backside.
While half the world’s footballers seem to be heading to the Chinese Super League, Cahill is on his way out – at least from his current club Shanghai Shenhua. He revealed on Instagram that he has been dumped by Shanghai mere months after signing a new contract.
Earlier this month, Cahill criticised China’s spending spree calling it “crazy” and saying “it’s pretty much like a revolving door, you see a lot of players coming in and a lot of players going.”
A popular player, fans reacted angrily to the news he was leaving Shanghai - but despite his criticisms of the league's spending splurge he looks set to stay in China and it is understood he will sign a deal with another club in the league in the next 48 hours.
Cahill, who was one of the bigger names to move to China last season and had been a hit, 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.”