No deadline for retirement, says evergreen Schwarzer

Fulham and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes he is in the best form of his career and has no plans to retire.

The 39-year-old put on a sterling display between the posts as he helped Fulham gain a goalless draw against Sunderland in the Premier League at the weekend.

Schwarzer saved his best for last as he pulled off a stunning stop with his legs in injury time after Stephane Sesseganon’s deflected shot appeared to have sent him the wrong way.

Both Sunderland boss Steve Bruce and Fulham manager Martin Jol were effusive in their praise about Schwarzer’s heroics.

“He’s been a proven goalkeeper in the Premier League for 15 years,” said Bruce.

“He’s been remarkably consistent, as good as you get. The save at the death was typical of him and what he can produce.”

“He can produce a save like that which has kept his side in the match.”

After the game, Schwarzer told reporters he was feeling good and brushed aside talk of retirement.

“The longer you go on, the more I enjoy it, the more I look after myself, the more I train and as long as that is still working well and I am performing well I will keep playing,” he said.

Reflecting on his career, Schwarzer picked his time at Middlesbrough as some of his most enjoyable.

“I had a fantastic time at Middlesbrough, probably the most successful time in the club’s history and I loved every minute of it but it was time for a change and time to kick on,” he said.

“I realised quite a while ago what a great life I’ve got. You have to be realistic and realise how privileged we are to play football for a living and at this level in the Premier League, the best in the world and I love it.”

Schwarzer has not set himself a deadline to retire and has set his sights on playing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“There is no age limit. I look at Brad Friedel and he is older than me and he has told me he will play for at two more seasons so I have to at least match that,” Schwarzer said.

“There’s a few older ones like Brad and myself. It encourages guys when they are reaching their mid-30s that there is no reason why it should end.”

“There is no deadline. I have a goal in international football to get to 2014 whether that is possible or not, we will have to wait and see. It is small steps at a time.”

“Brazil is my goal without a doubt. I like to set myself targets to work towards and so far the international scene is going very well we have qualified for the next stage with a game in hand and the manager of the national team is very supportive of me and he wants me to continue to play and I am. And I am enjoying it.”