FFA chief executive David Gallop has moved to publicly patch up his relationship with Tim Cahill, saying the governing body is "ready to explore" what it will take to get the Socceroos veteran playing in the A-League.
In a statement on Wednesday, Gallop said the pair caught up in Sydney last week while the Socceroos were in camp for their two-match friendly series with Greece.
He expressed regret over his comments in February when he publicly said FFA had been told by the then-free agent that the A-League could not "meet his needs."
He also clarified that he had not actually spoken to Cahill on the phone following his shock axing by Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua, instead sending him a text.
"I obviously regret that my comments in February were taken as a criticism of him," Gallop said.
"The relevant issues around his decision to stay in China could have been more clearly explained by me.
"With his kids only just starting new schools in Shanghai, the option of playing at Hangzhou Greentown was the best next move for him.
"Tim indicated this to senior FFA people and me personally in the hours after he parted company with Shanghai Shenhua.
"Our communication on that particular day was via text messaging."
That communication had come immediately after Cahill heavily criticised the A-League and lamented that the competition's lack of "vision" would only hurt his career, comments Gallop then said were "off the mark."
Gallop clarified that Cahill had not intended his criticisms to be so strong, rather "demonstrate his passion and ambition for Australian football."
He also said he would still love to see Cahill playing in the A-League, though that would require a club to take the lead in signing him with FFA's support.
Gallop is also open to discussing Cahill's academy program, a topic which has stopped talks with Cahill in the past given the 36-year-old's desire for his academy to be taken on nationally in Australia.
"I'd love to see him playing every week here," Gallop said.
"We are ready to explore the opportunity of him playing in the A-League, including looking at the off the-field activities that Tim is so passionate about including his academy program and other grassroots initiatives."
Reports this week have linked Cahill with a move to Melbourne City.