At the end of April, Al Nasr star Brett Holman announced his decision to retire from the Australia national team, thus closing the curtain on a long and impressive international career.
In the statement Holman released, he wrote: “It has been a great honour and privilege to play for Australia, and to represent one’s country is every footballer’s dream.
“Over the past six months, circumstances have led me to re-think my international career and I have made the difficult decision to step aside from my role with the Socceroos. My priorities lie with my young family, and my focus from now on will be with my club Al Nasr.”
Holman was capped 63 times by Australia – scoring nine goals – and has twice been named Australian International Player of the Year, in 2011 and 2012.
The former Aston Villa and AZ Alkmaar midfielder played a key role in the Socceroos’ 2014 World Cup qualification campaign, and while he was omitted from coach Ange Postecoglou’s first squad in November to face Costa Rica, he was back in the setup for Australia’s most recent fixture in March against Ecuador.
To many, the announcement – or more pertinently, its timing – was a shock considering the World Cup is only matter of weeks away.
Indeed, former international colleague Tim Cahill admitted he was “surprised” that a “quality player” like Holman had called time on his international career.
“After I released the statement announcing my decision, I had lots of calls asking why I chose this time to do it considering it was so close to the World Cup,” Holman exclusively told Sport360°.
“Everybody was trying to find some sort of angle, but the fact is it’s a decision that I thought long and hard about. It got to the stage when I had to take a look around and consider certain factors, especially with moving out to Dubai. The competition out here is very hard on your body and I want to stay here as many years as I can. That was one of the main reasons.”
Holman continues: “I had a long chat with my wife and my parents and I felt that – having just turned 30 – I want to give so many more years to my club career.
“On one hand there is an argument that yes, I am missing out on a World Cup, but the flip side is I feel this decision will help prolong my career; and I have so much more to give to Al Nasr.”
Holman insists he has made the right decision and can look back on his international career with great pride and satisfaction.
“For me to say that I’ve given everything to my country’s national team for the past eight years – I’m so happy with what I achieved and what I did.
“If there was that ounce of doubt in my mind, considering there’s a World Cup around the corner, then we wouldn’t be here talking now.
“I’m so happy and proud of what I’ve done for the Socceroos. I’ve got no regrets. I have had a great ride and got some great memories with all the boys and the games we’ve played. It’s been fantastic.”
For Holman, his focus is now firmly on the happiness of his family in Dubai and excelling for Al Nasr. The 30-year-old has one year remaining on his contract at the Al Maktoum Stadium, and he has made it clear that he is keen to extend his stay at the club.
“I want to be here for a few more years,” Holman says. “My wife and my kids have got a great feeling for Dubai and the club has made us so at home.
“That’s important for me; when my wife and kids are happy and family life is good, it makes me a lot more relaxed and helps me play good football. I would love to stay here for four or five more years and help lay a great foundation for Al Nasr’s future.”
Holman moved to Al Nasr in June last year after a solitary season in the English Premier League with Aston Villa. He was signed by Alex McLeish, but never played under the Scot, who was sacked prior to Holman’s arrival.
McLeish’s successor Paul Lambert made Holman a valuable part of his squad, with the Australian making 27 Premier League appearances.
However, Lambert led a major overhaul of the Villa squad and when a host of new signings made their way to the club in the summer of 2013, Holman was granted permission to leave.
While no longer performing under the bright lights of the Premier League, Holman insists he could not be happier plying his trade in Dubai, both in terms of career fulfilment and for the benefit of his family.
“Football is important, but my two kids are the number one priority. I need to provide a good environment for them, and so far it’s been fantastic in Dubai. They’ve adapted brilliantly,” he explains.
“Birmingham wasn’t the best of times for my family. I still enjoyed it there for the fact I was in the Premier League, but lifestyle-wise, it didn’t really happen. Here, I can see how much my family has blossomed. It’s great to see.
“If you’re not having a good time at work it affects your personal life and vice-versa. My wife can see how much I enjoy playing for Al Nasr, and when you’re happy in your job – whether that’s football or something else – then it rubs off on your family.”
Holman’s dedication to Al Nasr is refreshing in a league that experiences a high turnover rate of foreign players, with his commitment a direct result of the way they have treated him since he arrived 11 months ago.
“The club has just been great,” he concludes. “They have supported me since the day I arrived, and helped me and my family settle in Dubai.
“They showed a lot of desire and ambition to get me here and I want to repay that faith by staying at Al Nasr for years to come.”
Socceroos factfile
Caps: 63
Goals: 9
International debut: v Bahrain – February 2006
Personal achievements: Australian Footballer of the Year – 2012; Australian International Footballer of the Year – 2011 & 2012; Australia’s top goal-scorer at 2010 World Cup – 2.
What they said: Socceroo head coach Ange Postecoglou: “He is one of a few Australian players who can proudly say they scored a goal for the Socceroos at the World Cup. His achievements will sit nicely in Socceroo history.”
