‘One door shuts, another door opens’: Why Rodwell switched Sydney Derby allegiances

Sydney FC recruit Jack Rodwell insists there’s no hard feelings between himself and Western Sydney after crossing the Sydney Derby divide, citing a lack of progression beyond talks of a new Wanderers contract as a key factor in his decision to join the Sky Blues.

Rodwell signed for the Wanderers on a one-season contract ahead of the 2021-22 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign; after just 14 appearances in red and black, the former England international elected to join Sydney FC for a further two seasons. 

The former Premier League midfielder moves to the Sky Blues from the Wanderers after Sydney FC legend Miloš Ninković headed in the opposite direction early in the off-season. 

Rodwell says he harbours no ill feelings toward his former club despite the tense rivalry between his current and former employers, but envisages the Round 6 Sydney Derby at the brand-new Allianz Stadium on November 12 packing plenty of punch thanks to the off-season activity.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for Wanderers, I really enjoyed my time there,” Rodwell said. “The fans were brilliant, all the staff were great, and the lads. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were talks, but nothing ever materialised at the end of it. 

One door shuts and another door opens. There’s no hard feelings from me, really, for the Wanderers and hopefully there’ll be a good reception when I play against them.

“It is what it is. Like I said, I’m just very excited for this opportunity here. I’ve got nothing but respect for all the people at Wanderers, but I’m here now and I can’t wait for this challenge.”

Fans of both sides will hope to see their star recruits in action in Round 1. At his Sky Blues unveiling, Rodwell was asked whether he expected the occasion to be a fierce affair.

“I’d like to think it would be anyway, but obviously with Ninko going there and me going here, I feel like it will add a bit of spice to it,” he said.

After a quiet start to the off-season, the arrival of Rodwell and Slovakia international Robert Mak has accelerated head coach Steve Corica’s pursuit of experience to add to a squad gutted by big-name departures since the conclusion of the 2021-22 ALM campaign.

Corica expressed his delight at securing the services of Rodwell, hinting at two key positions Sky Blues fans could expect to see the Englishman utilised over the next two seasons.

“It’s great to have him,” Corica told KEEPUP. “He’s got great experience from playing in England, but he’s a real leader. These are the qualities we looked at to bring him in. He’s got experience in the A-League as well from last season, so everyone’s really happy to have him here.

“We let go of a few of the more senior players. We’ve got a really young squad, we’ve brought in a lot of younger boys, so the signings we have made now are mostly experience players other than Alex Parsons. 

He’s a very experienced player and he’s quality on the ball, we want to try and play good football and whether he plays at the back or in midfield he can do that. He’s comfortable in both positions. 

“I watched him last year when we played against him; he showed real hunger to win. I like that. With the leadership and experience he has, and will to win, if he can bring that to our club we’re going to have a very good chance this year.”

The Sky Blues welcome Western Sydney to Allianz Stadium in Round 6 of the ALM campaign on November 12, 2022.