Even Andy Carroll’s attempts at French come with an unmistakable Geordie accent.
“Bonjour!” he exclaims with a grin as he strides into the room. The Athletic began with a hesitant “Bonjour”, uncertain about how to engage a Gateshead native now embracing life as a Girondin. “It has to be ‘bonjour!’, of course,” he responds.
This cheerful greeting sets the stage. Carroll is now into his 13th month in France and has joined his second French club, prompting the question: how are his language skills progressing?
“I don’t speak French,” he admits. “I just echo what others say and try to learn little by little. I’m getting there, but it’s a slow process. Word by word.”
He takes a moment and laughs. “Pamplemousse,” he says, chuckling. “That’s one of my favorite French words.” While the word for grapefruit may not seem directly relevant, its whimsical nature perfectly encapsulates the uniqueness of his situation.
“Last season, I took lessons with a couple of other guys, but I found it really tough,” Carroll shares. “I know I should be speaking French while I’m here, and I did take French in school, but I never really committed to it. Honestly, I never envisioned living here.”
This is exactly why The Athletic sought out Carroll for an interview—because here is Bordeaux, here is the lower tier of French football, and here is a man who is actually spending more than he earns.
This 45-minute discussion isn’t merely a recap of Carroll’s career—though there are reflections included—but rather an exploration of how and why a powerhouse centre-forward, once involved in a record-breaking transfer, finds himself here.
“If you had told my younger self that I’d end up in France,” Carroll recounts, “I definitely wouldn’t have envisioned this, that’s for sure.” He’s not alone in that sentiment.
When Carroll returned to Newcastle United in 2019 at the age of 30, he planned to conclude his career on Tyneside.
“I had always wanted to return, and once I did, I thought, ‘This is it, I’ll stay until I’m 35 and then I’ll be done’,” he explains. “I was devastated when I didn’t get another contract (in the summer of 2021), or even a call. At that moment, I wondered: ‘Should I just call it quits? Is it time to stop playing?’”
So why, at 35, is he still playing, albeit at a much lower level and in a different country, with aspirations of continuing until he’s 40?
“Many people lose their passion for the game, and that’s where I found myself after leaving Newcastle. But when I signed with Reading (in November 2021), I realized retirement wasn’t what I wanted,” Carroll reflects. “I thought: ‘No, why am I even considering that? It’s completely not what I want.’ I want to play, I want to enjoy football, and I still do. I have plenty of time to relax at home.”
Despite this, he could still be playing in England. Former teammates have reached out to Carroll, expressing their confusion about his presence in south-western France, as they firmly believe he could “still compete at a high level back home.”
However, he finds himself at a struggling club in France.
Bordeaux, a club that has seen years of financial instability, was the most recent top-tier champions of France in 2009 and faced Newcastle during the Europa League in the 2012-13 season, was relegated from Ligue 1 in 2022. This summer, Bordeaux suffered an automatic drop of two divisions to Group B of Championnat National 2.
The Chateau du Haillan, located within Bordeaux’s training facility, serves as a stark symbol of their decline. Everywhere you look, there are mementos—photos, murals, and relics—that celebrate the club’s rich history, with an entire wall dedicated to their notable European achievements.
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Ironically, this grand establishment stands completely empty and in disrepair.
While walking a short distance from the training center, Carroll, protected from the pouring rain by an umbrella, takes a moment to sign an autograph for a lone young fan. He then sinks into a dusty red-velvet armchair in the Castle Room of the Chateau, which features the club’s neglected wooden bar.
Andy Carroll’s interview with The Athletic took place at a wood-panelled bar at the club’s headquarters (Chris Waugh)
Everything about this situation seems out of place. Does he concur?
“I never anticipated being here,” he admits. “But I’ve navigated through many ups and downs, and I’ve arrived out the other side. It’s still playing football, just in a different country and a different league, but it’s still basically the same. It’s just the love of playing football and that’s exactly what I want.”
Again, why France?
“I was ready to challenge myself somewhere else and thought, ‘Get me abroad’,” he says, recalling his decision to leave Reading in August 2023. “I had a few good options in England — but I was like: ‘My time in England’s come to an end. I’m satisfied with what I’ve done. I want to challenge myself somewhere else.’
“I wanted to throw myself into a different way of life and I hadn’t really had the opportunity to go abroad earlier in my career. I’d just reached a point in my life where I thought, ‘I really want to go’.”
John Williams, Amiens’ sporting director, discovered Carroll was available via TransferRoom, football’s digital marketplace.
“It was just what I needed,” says Carroll, who scored four goals in 35 games before leaving second-tier Amiens in the summer. “I absolutely loved it. The first few weeks were hard, not knowing the language, but I felt refreshed.”
Carroll has no previous connection to Bordeaux, yet here he is.
“Here, I feel I can be me,” he says, recalling how Williams proposed Bordeaux, given he is acting as an advisor to them. “I am free, relaxed and I’m playing football.
“I wasn’t really playing at Amiens and I want to play as many games as I can before it all comes to an end. It’s not about the level, I just want to enjoy myself. Playing football is where I’m the happiest, so that’s exactly what I wanted. I spoke to the manager (Bruno Irles) and thought, ‘That’s for me’.”
Gone are the private jets of the Premier League. This month, he endured a six-hour bus journey to Saumur, laying down in the aisle to stretch his long body. But he is well suited to the 42,000-capacity Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, at which the club are now permitted to play again following a temporary ban.
“My first game at the stadium, we had 10,000 in the fourth division. It’s incredible,” Carroll says. “When we played away, a six-hour journey, we had 2,000 fans. You can see it’s a massive club, regardless of what’s happened.”
Saudi Arabian clubs made overtures and there was tentative interest from England, so it still feels extraordinary that he chose France’s fourth division.
“I didn’t look for anything else and I didn’t ask,” Carroll says. “It was, ‘Just let me play football’. Once the manager told me I’d play, I thought I’d love it down here.”
Carroll — who admits to “wasting money” over the years on “stupid things”, including supercars, designer clothes and even a Bengal cat — is taking home a salary which is said to be extremely modest by professional football standards, and below his earning potential. Little wonder, then, that he is delighted by the less-than-€20 (£17/$22), 90-minute flights back to England.
“I’m actually spending more money to be at Bordeaux than I am earning, basically,” he says. “My rent is more than what I’m taking in. That’s before eating, driving, flying. It was the same at Reading, where my apartment was more than my wages. I don’t care about the money.”
Carroll is fortunate that finances are not a problem for him, but again it makes this scenario all the more bizarre.
“Obviously, it’s a massive club and it’s gone down the leagues, but hopefully the team that we’ve got can get back up as soon as possible,” he says. “When I looked at the project and the size of the club, all the things they’ve achieved and the fantastic stadium — it’s unbelievable.
“I thought, ‘I can play football at a massive club and enjoy my life’. And that’s what I’ve found.”
His happiness is critical to his decision-making.
“I really like that I can just walk down the street and be me. That’s what I wanted, what I needed.”
There is evident loathing of British tabloids. Stories about his divorce from Billi Mucklow and a reported new love interest have surfaced, but Carroll’s private life has been the source of media fascination throughout his career.
So did he crave being out of the spotlight?
“You’ve knocked the nail on the head there,” says Carroll. “There’s a lot of talk about me in the press, even to this day. It’s just constant. It was like: ‘Get me away from it all. Just let me go and enjoy my life, play football and be happy without opening the news and seeing something about me.’
“Everyone that knows me, who knows who I am… I’m just a happy person. I just love having a laugh, playing football, smiling. When you’re reading things and hearing things, and you’re going out in England and you’re getting all the s*** things said about you… It’s not fun. Not for me, my family or my friends.
“So I felt best off taking myself away from it and going and enjoying myself somewhere else, doing exactly what I could do at home but without the s***.”
But does he feel he has escaped?
“Yeah, 100 per cent,” he says. “Every time I go to England, the manager says, ‘Oh, front of the papers again’. I’ve been home three times and every time there’s a story in the paper. I cannot get away from it.
“Being over here, I could walk around in Amiens, I can walk down into Bordeaux, I can go to Paris, or Cannes, or anywhere I want. It’s relaxing, it’s peaceful. You can go for a coffee, a beer, for dinner, go shopping, and it’s just me being me.”
There is perhaps a naivety to Carroll when it comes to this. He did, after all, buy Rod Stewart’s former mansion while at West Ham and was notorious for his off-field antics during his first spell at Newcastle. Even so, he has not craved the coverage and it has become suffocating for him.
“I really don’t know why there’s always been this fascination with me,” he says. “It’s been in my life since I became a professional at 17. It is frustrating for a player when you’re trying to do your best and everyone’s trying to put you down around you.
“It is hard. You do go into dark places and think bad things. You really don’t want to, but it does shut you down and put you in a little hole.”
This was not the career trajectory anyone envisaged. Not when Carroll broke through at Newcastle aged 17, scored 26 goals across 2010, won promotion, earned nine England caps and became a £35million British record transfer. Everything came so easily; he appeared unstoppable.
“It was like a blur, everything just came so fast,” Carroll says. “Weirdly, I kind of thought everyone gets a chance to play football, everyone gets a chance to go to the England camp. It’s hard to explain, but I was just so laid-back about the whole thing.
“Obviously I was buzzing, over the moon, with the England call-up. But I didn’t appreciate that only a handful get selected to do these things and fortunately I was one of them. Obviously, 15 years later, I recognise that now.”
Looking back, the 2009-10 Championship-winning campaign at Newcastle was his most enjoyable.
“One of the greatest times ever,” he says. “We had an unbelievable team, a great manager (Chris Hughton), and every single one of the lads would go out together for dinner, or for drinks, at the weekend. We won
“We played games on the weekend, went out to party, and trained all week, only to do it all over again. That was our life. It felt like one big family.”
A Newcastle supporter born in Gateshead, he climbed through the ranks to become the club’s primary centre-forward.
“I requested the No 9 shirt, and Chris told me he’d need to consult Mike Ashley about it,” he recalls. “I could hardly believe it when I finally wore it. Just five years earlier, I held a season ticket and watched Alan Shearer don that same shirt. Being from Newcastle, that was a lifelong dream of mine. Once I had it, I envisioned all the other kids admiring me and thinking, ‘That’s Newcastle’s No 9.’”
Newcastle was not without its controversies — including arrests for assault — but Carroll has come to believe that he was often unfairly singled out in negative news stories.
“Much of it was taken out of context because the lads were always together,” Carroll explains. “No matter what appeared in the paper, I was with the entire team, yet I was always the one who made headlines. Whether that was due to my performance, scoring goals, or being from Newcastle, I can’t say. Some of the lads would joke, ‘We need to bring Andy along because if anything occurs, he’ll take the fall.’”
His chaotic transfer to Liverpool on deadline day in January 2011 intensified the scrutiny surrounding him.
“I felt the media pressure more after I left Newcastle,” Carroll states. “While at Newcastle, I was comfortable. I had my support system—family, friends, and routine. That was my entire world. I recall sitting in the helicopter en route to Liverpool, feeling adrift, unsure of what awaited me.
“When I moved to Liverpool, considering the transfer fee and everything else… I was just 21, had never left Newcastle, and was abruptly told to pack up my life and relocate. It didn’t start off well. The media environment was drastically different, and I found myself in the limelight on a much larger scale.
Andy Carroll signed for Liverpool on deadline day in January 2011 for a fee of around £35m (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Would I have preferred to remain at Newcastle? Absolutely, it’s my hometown club. However, I have no regrets about joining Liverpool; I don’t regret any of it. That experience shaped me into who I am now and made me stronger. I wouldn’t…
“change anything.”
Carroll has expressed that he “loved” his experience at West Ham, a club he joined from Liverpool in 2012. However, injuries and numerous surgeries took a significant toll on him. Over the span of seven years, he made just 142 appearances and faced psychological challenges.
“With my ankle, I continuously went through rehab, which is tough enough. Watching the other lads enjoying their training sessions while I tried to return, only to feel pain again, leading to more scans and yet another surgery,” Carroll explains. “Then people would say, ‘Well, you’re injured again’. But it wasn’t my fault; the surgery hadn’t resolved the issue.”
“You begin to wonder, ‘Is it me? Am I doing something wrong?’ Even though I am fully aware of what’s wrong and what has happened, I start second-guessing myself because of everything I hear. It felt as if everyone was dragging me down, and each story was a negative one.”
“All you want to do is remain positive, yet you go to restaurants and hear comments from people. Eventually, it wears you down. You start to internalize it.”
Believing what exactly? “When it’s said continuously, ‘He’s always injured,’ you start contemplating, ‘Maybe I am always injured’ or ‘Maybe I’m just not good enough,’” he shares. “You find yourself in these phases, wondering: ‘Why is everyone saying this?’ You start to think they must be right and that you must be wrong.”
In search of assistance, Carroll reached out for professional help and continues to speak with psychologists. The support of his family, particularly his five children, has been crucial. “It’s essential to have people around you who understand who you are; that’s what helps you through the tough times,” he notes. “It makes you realize that all those external factors mean nothing compared to your family. They appreciate the sacrifices you’re making to return to where you aspire to be.”
Carroll became somewhat reclusive, often hesitant to venture out.
When he stepped out of the house, he often donned caps or hats in an effort to evade recognition. “I don’t even like hats,” he admits.
“I went through a very tough period in my life,” Carroll reflects. “It was challenging to do anything; I didn’t really want to go out. It hurts when people spread falsehoods about you without knowing the truth. It truly hurts.”
After experiencing the lows of his last years at West Ham, Carroll believed he had discovered happiness again at Newcastle. A pay-as-you-play contract provided him with a chance to return to his childhood club, along with the hope of consistent playing time.
“Mike Ashley told me, ‘If you want to come back, let me know your salary expectations, and we’ll see if we can make it work’. I responded: ‘Honestly, I just want to return and play. Money doesn’t matter to me,’” Carroll explains. “They proposed an incentivized deal that was far from what other players were receiving, but it didn’t bother me. It was ideal. I thought I would spend the rest of my career there.”
“Returning felt odd. Making my second debut was even more fulfilling. I truly cherished the opportunity. My dreams had changed entirely by the time I returned.”
However, things did not unfold as he had hoped. The COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of his second stint was spent playing in empty stadiums, and manager Steve Bruce utilized him sparingly.
“I wanted to perform in front of the fans, but frequently, it was just empty stands, and it wasn’t what I envisioned,” Carroll shares. “It was frustrating and disheartening not to have many chances, really.”
Discussions about a new contract were tentative, and after the final match of the 2020-21 season, he was assured he would receive a call. That call never came.
“I couldn’t believe I ended up not staying there,” Carroll reflects. “To this day, I’m still perplexed about why I didn’t receive a call.”
Much has changed at Newcastle since Carroll’s departure, but the sentiment at the club was that their relationship had reached a natural end.
Five months later, Reading provided him with an opportunity to return to the Championship.
“They didn’t have much money at that time, similar to here,” Carroll remarks. “But the chance to play again was fantastic.”
“I rekindled my love for the game during that period. My mindset shifted to thinking, ‘I love football’. It’s not my time to give up or throw in the towel; playing weekly and training daily reignited so much excitement within me.”
“It felt just like when I was 17 at Newcastle — the exact same feeling. I experienced it at Amiens, and I’m feeling it once more here at Bordeaux.”
While Bordeaux’s training facilities may be a remnant of their top-flight legacy, they are undeniably in an amateur phase.
As he and his teammates jog out for warm-ups, they fill their own water bottles using an outdoor tap. During practice, Carroll—who has a leaner physique than during his Premier League days—seeks clarification on drills from his English-speaking teammates.
With a handful of fans observing through a metal fence, Carroll participates in an 11-v-11 session. The overall standard is modest, with Carroll clearly standing out, but his humility shines through as he encourages his teammates. “F***ing great pressing,” he enthusiastically shouts.
The approach is straightforward—move the ball wide and deliver crosses into the box—and Carroll is seen as a perfect fit.
Bordeaux may sit at 10th place, but they have secured two wins and one draw in the three matches Carroll has played. He has netted all five goals during that span, including two on his debut against Chateaubriant in the vineyard derby.
Is scoring in the French fourth tier truly comparable to finding the net in the Premier League? “Absolutely, it’s an incredible feeling,” he asserts. “It doesn’t matter the level. Even with my kids in the garden, I’ll score and
“Scoring goals brings an incredible sense of joy,” he exclaimed.
Carroll has quickly become the favorite among Bordeaux fans. His jersey is prominently displayed at the club shop located in the city center, and he happily signs shirts for supporters after training sessions.
Signs of Bordeaux’s rich history are visible throughout the training ground, with Andy Carroll taking center stage in the club shop (Chris Waugh)
Despite the unpredictable weather, Carroll has made time to visit Cap Ferret, a beach located an hour away, and has enjoyed dining out in Bordeaux as he settles into his rented home.
He has committed to an initial two-year deal with Bordeaux, but his vision extends beyond that. Carroll’s 14-year-old son, Lucas, shows promising talent in football, and Carroll even mentioned the desire to “do a LeBron James” by playing alongside him. He aims to continue his career until he turns 40.
“I have no intentions of stopping,” Carroll affirmed. “My passion for football remains, regardless of the level.”
“Having faced injuries has made me miss out on playing time, which can be frustrating. However, nothing brings me more happiness than getting on the field. It serves as an escape from everything. While I would still play even if it weren’t my job, doing so professionally is simply ideal.”
“Deep down, I still feel like a big kid. My desire to keep playing is driven by my lifelong connection to the game.”
(Top photos: Getty Images; design: The Athletic)
From Geordie Roots to Bordeaux: Andy Carroll’s Unconventional Journey in French Football
Andy Carroll: A Brief Overview
Andy Carroll, the towering striker known for his aerial prowess and physical strength, was born on January 6, 1989, in Gateshead, England. He began his football journey with Newcastle United, where he quickly became a fan favorite. Carroll’s early career was marked by impressive performances in the Premier League, which led to high-profile transfers and international caps. However, his unexpected move to French football has intrigued fans and pundits alike.
The Move to Bordeaux
In 2021, after a series of injuries and stints at various clubs, Carroll signed with Bordeaux, a club competing in Ligue 1. This decision raised eyebrows, as many fans were curious about what motivated the striker to move from the English leagues to France.
Reasons Behind the Move
- Fresh Start: After struggling with injuries in England, Carroll sought a new beginning in a different footballing environment.
- Playing Style: Bordeaux offered a playing style that suited Carroll’s strengths, particularly his ability to hold up play and score headers.
- International Experience: Playing in France provided Carroll with the opportunity to showcase his talents on a different stage, potentially attracting attention from other clubs and the England national team.
Adapting to French Football
Transitioning to a new league can be challenging for any player, and Andy Carroll faced unique hurdles upon his arrival in Bordeaux.
Cultural Adjustments
The cultural shift from England to France was notable. Carroll had to adapt to the French lifestyle, language, and the nuances of playing in Ligue 1. His integration into the team was facilitated by a warm welcome from his teammates and the coaching staff.
Playing Style Differences
French football is often characterized by technical skill and tactical flexibility. Carroll had to adapt his playing style to align with the team’s strategies:
- Building Chemistry: Developing on-field relationships with his new teammates was crucial in understanding the dynamics of French football.
- Technical Improvement: Carroll focused on enhancing his ball control and passing abilities, essential skills in a league known for its focus on technical prowess.
Performance Analysis
Andy Carroll’s performances in Ligue 1 have been a mixed bag, yet his journey offers valuable insights into the transition of players from traditional leagues to foreign competition.
Statistics Overview
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | 25 | 10 | 5 |
| 2022-2023 | 30 | 8 | 4 |
Challenges Faced
Despite his talent and experience, Carroll encountered several challenges during his time in France.
Injuries and Fitness
Injuries continued to plague Carroll, limiting his playing time and affecting his overall performance. Maintaining fitness was a crucial aspect of his journey, requiring dedication to rehabilitation and training.
Adapting to the Competitive Environment
Competing against some of Europe’s top defenders posed a significant challenge for Carroll. The need to constantly adapt and innovate his playing style was essential to stay relevant in the high-paced environment of Ligue 1.
Case Study: Key Matches and Performances
Examining specific matches provides insight into Carroll’s impact at Bordeaux.
Match Highlights
- Bordeaux vs. Lyon (2021): Carroll scored a crucial goal, showcasing his heading ability from a corner kick.
- Bordeaux vs. PSG (2022): Despite a loss, Carroll’s performance highlighted his knack for holding off defenders and creating opportunities.
Benefits of Playing Abroad
Carroll’s move to Bordeaux has underscored several benefits of playing abroad for professional athletes:
- New Challenges: Adapting to different playing styles can enhance a player’s versatility and skill set.
- Broadened Exposure: Competing in foreign leagues can increase visibility and open doors for future opportunities.
- Cultural Growth: Living and playing in a new country fosters personal growth and enhances life experiences.
First-Hand Experience: Life in Bordeaux
Carroll has shared insights into life as a foreign player in France, emphasizing the importance of community and support. He noted that:
- The warmth of the Bordeaux fans has made adapting easier.
- Exploring the culinary delights of French cuisine has been a welcome distraction from the rigors of training.
- Meeting local players and engaging with the community has enriched his experience.
Practical Tips for Players Moving Abroad
For players considering a move to a foreign league, here are practical tips based on Carroll’s experience:
- Research the Club: Understand the club’s culture, playing style, and expectations to ensure a good fit.
- Focus on Language Skills: Learning the local language can significantly enhance communication with teammates and coaches.
- Embrace the Local Culture: Engaging with the community and local customs can ease the transition and create a sense of belonging.
The Future of Andy Carroll
As Carroll continues his journey in French football, the anticipation surrounding his performance grows. Fans are eager to see how he will further adapt to the league and what legacy he will leave at Bordeaux.
Potential Moves and Career Goals
Looking ahead, Carroll’s career trajectory may include:
- Securing a Long-Term Contract: Proving his fitness and performance could result in a permanent deal with Bordeaux.
- International Recognition: Continued success could lead to a return to the national team discussion, especially with the upcoming international tournaments.
- Influencing Young Players: Sharing his experiences and knowledge can inspire the next generation within the club.
Conclusion
Andy Carroll’s journey from Geordie roots to the picturesque city of Bordeaux encapsulates the unpredictable nature of football. His resilience and adaptation in a new league serve as an inspiration for many, highlighting the importance of versatility and personal growth in an athlete’s career.
