Smeltz retires; sets sights on coaching
One of New Zealand’s most decorated footballers, Shane Smeltz, is hanging up the boots.
The 36-year-old All Whites international, who had two stints with the Wellington Phoenix and last year linked up with Indonesian club Borneo FC, has decided to pull the pin on a glittering 18-year career.
‘‘It’s difficult to know when the right time is,’’ Smeltz told
‘‘I could potentially drag my career out a little longer, but I’ve got a transition I’ve had in mind for a number of years. I had a long career in the A-League and a great international career. It’s all about timing and this is the right time.’’
Back on the Gold Coast now, where his career started all those years ago, Smeltz plans to head abroad soon to complete his UEFA A coaching licence.
‘‘I’m not just going into coaching to take up a job. I go into it with drive and ambition which I always had as a player.‘‘
Smeltz is the seventh-equal most-capped All Whites player, with 58 appearances, while his 24 goals for New Zealand sit him second-equal with Chris Wood, behind only Vaughan Coveny, on 28.
He debuted for the national team in 2003, and was part of the side which featured at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, scoring the famous goal against Italy which earned the All Whites a 1-1 draw.
Smeltz made a big impact on the A-League too, taking out the Golden Boot award in 2008-09 with the Phoenix and 2009-10 with Gold Coast United, and winning the Johnny Warren medal as player of the season in 2008-09, then being named in the competition’s team of the decade in 2015.