How William Gallas Weirdly Ended His Career at Perth Glory

William Gallas, one of the greatest defenders of his generation, has called time on his career.

Unless you live in Australia or chair the Gallas fan club, you probably have an abstract view of his last hurrah. 

Once the surrealism of Gallas playing for Glory wore thin, watching him was alike to Roy Jones Jr. eking out his boxing career fighting for an alphabet title.

Glory owner Tony Sage, a mining entrepreneur, reluctantly sanctioned the deal amid hassling from then Glory manager Alistair Edwards.

"I personally didn't want him [Gallas], but Alistair at the time said it would be great for the club," Sage said in an interview with SBS' Les Murray [1]. "He [Gallas] was good for the club in one way [mentoring young players], but not good in another way [filling up nib Stadium; Glory's home ground]. You need a creative or attacking player for that marquee [contract]."

"

Perth Glory new boy William Gallas made friends upon his arrival in Australia pic.twitter.com/XTbVXBI4Ng

— B/R Football (@br_football) November 9, 2013"

"Yeah. I'm 36 [years old]. I think I can play more. Some players play until 40," Gallas said, per Brad Elborough at the Sydney Morning Herald. "I hope I could play until 40. I'm ready for that challenge."

Gallas arrived in Perth on November 9, 2013, five games into the A-League season. 

Of the next 22 games, Gallas participated in 15, playing out 90 minutes nine times. He was being paid a full-time salary, but in reality, he was a part-time player.

Obviously Gallas was not going to say: "Yeah. I'm 36. My legs are shot and I was shocked Glory offered me a contract."

It wasn't just any contract.

It was a marquee contract (outside the salary cap) for one season worth $600,000 (€411,813/£327,070), per Shayne Hope at The West Australian.

Gallas' bumbling, embarrassing and ignominious air swing against the Western Sydney Wanderers is how most people remember his stint at Glory.

That unfortunate incident was his mind desperately fighting father time as his body began to wave the white flag.  

The tragic irony about Gallas' Perth sojourn was he cared about the club.

In scorching hot conditions against Adelaide United, Gallas could have used his high profile status and leveraged Edwards telling him: "I'm the marquee player and I'm not coming on."

But Gallas didn't.

He soldiered on, made his debut and showed professionalism sticking around for a post-match interview despite being drenched in sweat.

Gallas attempted to instil leadership among a fractured playing group still reeling from a player revolt against Edwards amid allegations of nepotism (he gave contracts to both his sons).

"The best thing that happened for me witnessing some of it at the end was Gallas fuming," Sage said, per Shayne Hope at The West Australian. "But it shows it means a lot to him and his professional pride, and the fact that he really loves Perth, that he actually did step up and say a few things."

Despite his body breaking down, Gallas played through injury, as attested by Glory manager Kenny Lowe, who succeeded Edwards.

"William had a knock and should have come off the pitch," Lowe said, per Shayne Hope at The West Australian. "He actually went back on because he didn't want to let the guys down."

Another nice anecdote in Perth was Gallas giving back to the community when he nominated Forrestfield United for a $1,000 grant, per the Gazette.

You may view Gallas' ending his career in Perth as an anticlimax, but it was fitting if you take into account how he struggled mightily at Stade Malherbe Caen.

Per former Caen player and France international Jerome Rothen's autobiography "You're Not Going To Believe Me" (h/t Steve Wilson at The Telegraph):

"

I don't think William Gallas will mind me talking about how he used to be a no-hoper.

[...]

One evening, Eric Sitruk [trainee] burst into my room and shouted, 'Someone has stolen my bank card and taken out 1,500 francs ($275/€189/£150).'

[...]

Next evening, Eric said he had gone to the bank and a surveillance camera had filmed the person using the card.

He said, 'I know who is guilty.' It was a bluff.

But an hour later, William knocked on his door and admitted his mistake.

"

William, enjoy retirement: $600,000 is a whole lot better than $275.

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[1] 13:22 - 13:38.

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