Australian soccer legend Mark Schwarzer has shared his thoughts on how the A-League can dig itself out of its current predicament, while also reflecting on the unforgettable experience of playing for Premier League powerhouse Chelsea towards the end of his career.

During an extensive interview with the Daily Mail in Perth, where he was present for the recent Famous Chelsea FC world tour, the esteemed goalkeeper acknowledged that the A-League is falling short of expectations.

“Despite its challenges, the A-League remains essential for Australia,” Schwarzer remarked.

“It’s not useful to compare it directly with Europe’s top leagues,” he added.

“The league provides domestic players with a crucial stepping stone to the Socceroos, and preserving that pathway is vital for the sport,” Schwarzer emphasized.

Socceroos great Mark Schwarzer has outlined how the A-League can stay relevant – and why playing for Chelsea at the twilight of his club career will always be unforgettable

Schwarzer (pictured, with Petr Cech) joined Chelsea in 2013 following a call from then manager José Mourinho

Schwarzer spoke to the Daily Mail while in Perth (pictured) recently as part of the Famous Chelsea FC world tour

The A-League has been running for 20 years, but is fading into obscurity.

While the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Dwight Yorke and Robbie Fowler were instant hits for the competition given their respective football pedigrees, crowd numbers have dropped off alarmingly in recent years.

The demise of Western United in August was another blow the embattled competition didn’t need, and it came just a week before the 2025-26 A-League men’s season begins.

Schwarzer agreed the current A-League off-season – which runs from May to October, the longest in world football – is absurd. 

He suggested games instead kick off in August – and while that would clash with rival footy codes, the 53-year-old stressed soccer needs its own identity on Australian shores.

Schwarzer also recalled why he joined Chelsea in 2013.

‘I was at Fulham at the time, and when a club like Chelsea get in touch, there was only going to be one answer,’ he said.

‘Jose (Mourinho) gave me a call to see if I was interested, it was a surreal moment, especially given I was coming to the end of my career.

After retiring from football in 2016, Schwarzer turned his attention to punditry, namely with the BBC (pictured) and Optus Sport

Schwarzer is best known in Australia for his heroics in the penalty-shootout win against Uruguay (pictured) in November of 2005, which saw the Socceroos qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany

Schwarzer was the Socceroos’ first choice gloveman at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups (pictured, with wife Paloma)

‘I had a desire to play in the Champions League, and achieved that when at the club.

‘Training with guys like John (Terry), Frank (Lampard) and (Didier) Drogba was unbelievable.

‘They expected to win, the collective mentality was incredible.

Next was a move to Leicester in 2015, where Schwarzer had the ‘best seat in the house’ as the club’s no.2 shot-stopper behind Kasper Schmeichel.

‘Our first aim was 40 points, that is the figure you usually need to avoid relegation,’ he recalled.

‘I think the key was the freedom we played with… there was no pressure, no one realistically thought we would win the league.

‘For me, Leicester winning the title is the biggest ever fairy-tale in world football.’

Schwarzer will also soon celebrate a date he will never forget – November 16 in 2005 at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.

He famously saved two penalties in the shootout against Uruguay to guide the Socceroos to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.

‘I can’t believe it has almost been 20 years,’ he said. ‘I will always cherish those memories, it was an electric atmosphere that night.’

*Schwarzer was speaking in Perth as part of the first stop of Chelsea FC’s international fan engagement across the 2025/26 season. 

The Famous CFC gives supporters the chance to meet up with fellow Blues as well as the opportunity to take a photo with the iconic Premier League trophy.