--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-10-24T01:41:07.608Z last_updated: 2026-10-19T09:43:26+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/swansea-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FsZXNvbmxpbmUuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy9leC1saXZlcnBvb2wtY2FyZGlmZi1zd2Fuc2VhLXN0YXItMzQ3ODM4Njk --- # Former Cardiff and Swansea star now unemployed and unable to even get interviews - **Source:** - **Published:** 19 Oct - **Club:** Swansea City - **Original URL:** https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-liverpool-cardiff-swansea-star-34783869 The 34-year-old called time on his playing days last December, following a short spell with Stjarnan in Iceland. He then made the move into coaching, with his latest role being an assistant manager position at Turkish side Konyaspor, whom he left last month. Caulker is still keen to get back into football, and took to his LinkedIn account on Sunday to air his frustrations at not being able to even land an interview for positions he feels he's qualified for. Get the most comprehensive Cardiff City news and analysis straight to your Inbox! To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two: However, he has also turned down some jobs. "Being unemployed is stressful," he wrote. "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." Caulker, who won one cap for England, started his career at Tottenham before going on to represent a number of clubs in both the UK and abroad. He spent a short loan spell at Swansea in 2011, where he made 26 league appearances, before joining their bitter rivals Cardiff in 2013. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Follow Wales Online’s Swansea City FB page for more news and analysis The former centre-back made 38 league appearances for the Bluebirds and scored five goals, the most notable being a winner in the South Wales Derby. A spell at Queens Park Rangers and even a short loan spell at Liverpool followed, although his career came against the backdrop of struggles off the pitch. In 2017, he spoke with The Guardian about his problems with mental health, which at his darkest moments had left him contemplating suicide. To get the latest Swans news from WalesOnline in your search results, click here to add WalesOnline as a preferred source on Google An addiction to gambling, a problem with alcohol, as well as depression, were all factors in his struggles, which he reflected on with The Athletic two years later. "It’s only been in the last few months that I’ve finally freed myself of the shame, of the guilt, of the embarrassment and everything else that comes with living a life as an addict," he said at the time, having signed for Turkish side Alanyaspor. "For a large period of my life, I’d felt so ashamed of the opportunity I’d thrown away, of what a mess I’d made of everything. Cardiff City correspondent Glen Williams is also on social media! Keep up to date with all things Cardiff City: "I always isolated myself, shied away from anyone who was successful, those who were achieving something, because seeing their success made me feel worse. I couldn’t even watch games on the television." “Mentally, I’m probably in the best place I’ve ever been,” he added. “With everything that has happened, the experiences I’ve had, I feel a more complete human being. "I believe I’m a better father today, a better friend, a better son. I’m more content with who I am. I hated football for so many years but now I’m free of the shame and the guilt. I love the game again."