O'Donovan learned two weeks ago that the Jets would not be retaining him, leaving the 35-year-old Irishman searching for the 15th club of his professional career.

The news came as a shock, because O'Donovan was of the understanding he featured in the club's plans for next season. That apparently changed when Craig Deans announced he was standing down as Newcastle's head coach.

Arthur Pappas is expected to be unveiled as Deans's replacement next week, and he is understood to favour a younger, more mobile squad, after the Jets finished second last on the ladder in 2020-21.

O'Donovan said the "script has been torn up" but he had no intention of hanging up the boots.

"I'm not thinking I'll still be knocking around at 40, but I believe I've still got some good football in me and that I can still score goals," O'Donovan told the Newcastle Herald.

"My body is in good shape and I was still one of the quickest in the club. I didn't miss a training session all season and I was available for every game.

"I think I've still got something to offer. Unfortunately that won't be for Newcastle so I'll have to look for new pastures."

O'Donovan felt his experience and leadership could have been an asset, even if Newcastle go with a youth policy.

"When a club goes through a difficult patch, it's not really fair if the presure falls on young players," he said.

"That's not going to help their progression or help them grow as players.

"That's where senior players, who've been through tough situations and know how to get back on the right path, are so important to a club."

O'Donovan said he would have been willing to accept a pay cut to stay in Newcastle, as well as fitting into the new coach's plans, rather than expecting to start up front in every game.

"Of course," he said. "That's the reality of it. I'm coming up for 36, and at that age you're not going to expect the same sort of marquee rate. I understand that, but that wasn't a conversation that was ever had."

The former Sunderland Premier League star described football as a "ruthless profession" but said he had overcome many setbacks since leaving Cork City as a 16-year-old to ply his trade in England.

"I think the club have made the wrong decision, and I told them that," he said.

"It's disappointing, but as I've done throughout my career, in difficult times I've shown my character. I wouldn't say I have a point to prove, because I know that I'm a good player and a goalscorer. Hopefully some other team will recognise that."

His preference is to stay in the A-League for at least another season, and he and his family, who are now Australian citizens, hope to eventually settle in their adopted country.

"I'm not afraid of retirement," he said.

"But after the season we had, that's not the way I want to finish. There are still things I want to achieve."

O'Donovan scored 31 goals in 71 games for Newcastle, including a team-high seven in 25 games this season, and thanked fans for their support over the past four seasons.

"The relationship I've had with the supporters here, from the outset, is something I'll hold very close to my heart," he said.

He has also scored a further 25 goals for Central Coast and Brisbane Roar. Only 10 players in A-League history have found the net more often.

Newcastle's football-operations manager, Joel Griffiths, said last week that releasing O'Donovan was "a tough one" because he was held in high regard.

"Things like this happen in football clubs," Griffiths said. "We need to change and he is not in the plans of the potential new coach."