The 29 year old, in a candid interview on StillJack’s podcast, discussed life on and off the pitch, as well as his actions to secure a move from Championship side Blackburn Rovers to Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

He admitted to refusing to play in pre-season games and training separately to push for the transfer, describing it as an awkward period.

Szmodics added that his decisions were not meant to disrespect Blackburn, a club he still loves, but were driven by his dream to play in the Premier League, likely his last opportunity at age 28.

He praised Blackburn’s manager, John Eustace, for supporting him during this time, allowing him to step back without backlash.

When the Ipswich move initially stalled, Szmodics returned to training and played, scoring in matches, but maintained his stance on avoiding games once the transfer regained momentum.

He expressed gratitude to both Blackburn and Ipswich, acknowledging their roles in his career and his own goal-scoring efforts that facilitated the move to a “massive club” in the Premier League.

#Rovers really honest from Szmodz opening speaking about not wanting to play in pre-season, but wouldn’t refuse to play in the league out of respect for the club himself and the players.

So many players would have said no and been hated for a long time, he moved in the right way pic.twitter.com/IneW7PxUlv

— allrovers (@allrovers_) June 14, 2025

That you shall get Sammie, modern day club legend 🫡#Rovers pic.twitter.com/WazlplMoJ6

— allrovers (@allrovers_) June 14, 2025

“It was quite an awkward preseason because I didn’t play,”

“I refused to play. I don’t mind saying that now. I tried to be the best I could be at Blackburn but I wanted to move to Ipswich because it’s The Premier League. Like I said, it’s my dream.

“It’s back home for me, Ipswich as a club is amazing. The club Blackburn is amazing. When I was refusing to play I went to see John Eustace who was absolutely unbelievable with me.

“I went to see him and said listen, I don’t want to disrespect the staff, the players, but I don’t want to take any part in the preseason games and he said that’s absolutely fine, I’ll protect you and I’ll help you with whatever you want.

“Which, for me, he could have easily said like who do you think you are? Which is not me. It’s not my character. Then it got to obviously the beginning of the season and the Ipswich move hadn’t come off yet.

“He said the season’s starting so I remember sitting with my agent thinking I’ve got to play mate I can’t just refuse to play.

“I remember being on the bench against Derby first game of the season, I was like I’m on the bench and I’ve finished top scorer in the Championship last season.

“I’ve put myself on the bench by my actions. I came on, scored and then he said you’re playing on Tuesday night. He said you’re not refusing to play against Stockport in the cup. I started, scored two and Ipswich came back in and it all happened.”

“I want to dive into that, the decision to not play because that’s not an easy decision,”

“A lot of people didn’t know and a lot of people just thought I was injured. It’s not my mannerisms to be rude but I just said listen, I don’t want to play.

“Then it got quite bad where it was like I was training on my own. I was going into Blackburn and training with the fitness coach and the Director of Football said ‘No, no, you need to train with the team now;

“I said ‘I’m not training with the team’ and that wasn’t to disrespect Blackburn, I don’t want the fans to get that wrong.

“I made it so clear that I didn’t want to disrespect the players. I said ‘I don’t want to train with the team because I’m not in the right headspace to train’.

“As soon as it looked like it wasn’t, I was straight back in training and then when it looked like it could happen again, I was ‘I’m not playing games’.

“I think you’ve got to be pushing on this. I’m 29, I moved to the premier league when I was 28.

“This was probably my last and only opportunity I get to play in the Premier League I had to do all I can to do that.

“I still love the club. I still watch the results. I still know all the boys.

“It was a tough moment because don’t want to I didn’t want to disrupt. It was the manager’s first pre-season with Blackburn. I didn’t want to disrupt him.

“It’s credit to Blackburn because they didn’t have to sell me and they didn’t have to buy me.

“I’m, so grateful for those two football clubs. Also, you’ve got to be grateful for yourself because scoring goals got you there of course, but I’m so lucky.

“I had to pinch myself where I was leaving Blackburn Rovers for a massive club going to a massive club. I thought, ‘How lucky am I? This is amazing?”

Twitter users reacted as Sam Szmodics explains refusing to play for Blackburn to force a move to Ipswich…

@Soarey: I think you’ll find the ovation you got at the first home game against Derby, will be the same ovation you’ll always get. Legend

@Mark_Crossan: Happy how you handled everything Sammie. You did your job in the time you had with us. Nothing but respect and always hoped you’d get your much deserved move to the prem.

@JamieLe86659730: Your goals kept our championship status. Wish you nothing but the best for your future. Just don’t score against us next season 🫡

@andy_choc80: I think we all knew your desire to play in the premier league and we all knew you was going to go there! No fan has any qualms about that! What you did for us the season before will never be forgotten and you’ll always be welcome back to ewood!🔵⚪️

@brfcchris1995: I see it. Was interesting to see you refer to Suhail as the CEO though, not a criticism at all just what we all knew

@BraedanNuttall: We love u szmods have nothing but respect for you . Kept us up with your goals and all best next season maybe come back to us we all wish but just dont score against us next season 🫡💙🤍

@SamuelCarrID: Basically kept us in the division, if any of our fans forget that – and aggrieve you having a go at the Prem then they need to give their heads a shake.

@ChrisMartin_93: To be fair Sammie, if I walked in on you shagging my missus I’d ask you if you wanted a brew and a biscuit once you’d finished. So you don’t need to worry about your reception at Ewood 👑

@Leap_year_man: Legend Sam, us Rovers fans won’t forget what you did for us lad 🔵⚪️💙

@DavidStrachan85: Nobody in 🔵⚪️ questioned you at the time and still don’t. You will get a huge reception when you come back to Ewood.

@thesidelinespec: Love you Sammie! 🔵⚪️