Former Premier League footballer Steven Caulker divides opinion over 'sad' unemployment post

Former Premier League footballer Steven Caulker has divided opinions after a LinkedIn post about unemployment as he attempts to find his next role.

The 34-year-old central defender came through the youth team ranks at Tottenham Hotspur and made his Spurs debut in 2012 as he embarked on a journeyman career which would see him represent 17 clubs across several countries.

Caulker's time in the top flight saw him play for Spurs, Swansea City, Cardiff City, Southampton and Liverpool, as well as a spell north of the border playing for Dundee.

Caulker also spent several seasons playing in Turkey's Super Lig with spells for Alanyaspor, Fenerbahce, Gaziantep and Fatih Karagumruk, before ending his career with spells at various other clubs, including Wigan Athletic.

'Being unemployed is stressful'

At the end of his playing career, Caulker has spells as player-manager at FC Malaga City's Academy, before a spell at Icelandic outfit Stjarnan.

In February of this year, he was appointed as the assistant manager of Turkish side Konyaspor, but left the position last month.

Caulker has since been on the search for a new role and took to LinkedIn to provide an update on how his job search has been going.

The former defender admits 'hurt' at not getting interviews for roles he feels he has the qualifications for, but that he has been turning down jobs that are 'not aligned with my goals' in admittedly 'difficult' process.

The post, which includes a picture of Caulker following a morning run, reads: "Being unemployed is stressful.

"I've been here many times before, I'm used to the rollercoaster of emotions, but it doesn't make it any easier.

"Applying for jobs for which I have all the qualifications yet am unable to get even an interview hurts, but that does not mean I should panic.

"Walt Disney was rejected over 300 times; rejection is part of most people's stories. The bit I find difficult is then turning down the jobs that do come my way which are not aligned with my goals.

"Staying calm and composed during these times is important, and adding some kind of structure to my day certainly helps. I've just finished my morning run and feeling pretty good after releasing some endorphins."

'Sad to read this'

Caulker's post has divided opinion on social media, with some admitting it is 'sad' to read such an update.

One posted: "Sad to read this from Steven Caulker on LinkedIn this morning. If anyone is able to help him out, please reach out to him."

Another person wrote: "Sounds like he has a great attitude towards it though. Acknowledges the challenge but also taking the steps to stay the course. Wishing him well."

And another posted: "Just listened to a podcast with him on yesterday. Surely with all his credentials there's a job out there..."

However, the post has divided opinions, particularly given that Caulker admits he has turned down jobs due to them not aligning with his goals.

One person wrote: "Literally turning down jobs so not got much sympathy."

Another individual posted: "With the greatest of respect, a man in a position to say that he turned down work that doesn’t ’align with his goals’, is a man clearly in a privileged position, as people desperate and really struggling aren’t afforded such luxuries. That is not someone in need."

And one person wrote: "Unemployed but says he turns down jobs, so he is choosing to be jobless?"