However, one of new Director of Rugby Nigel Davies' first actions in his new role was to sit down to talk with the former England skipper and agree terms on a new role as player/ backs coach.
It's an approach that Davies has employed at his previous club, the Scarlets, where senior players like Simon Easterbuy and Mark Jones have moved seamlessly from the playing squad into the coaching ranks.
It's obviously early days but Tindall cut a contented figure when he spoke to the media this week at Gloucester's training base at Hartpury College.
"I obviously said all along that this was where I wanted to stay. It wasn't easy at times to get it done but Nigel (Davies) coming in was really positive for me.
"You look at what he's done with the Scarlets, with a few of the guys there who are reaching the end of their playing careers, people who care deeply about the club and keeping them on board in some capacity.
"I always wanted to stay here so it's worked out perfectly for me."
For the first time in preseason, Tindall won't be able to concentrate solely on his own preparations. His new status means that he now has new responsibilities but the transition is going to be managed carefully.
"Nigel's been great in all fairness. It's a role that he's going to let me ease into. It's hard at the moment because I'm doing all the fitness training with the boys so I'm a little bit tired at times and then I have to do some extra stuff after work so to speak.
"He's not expecting me to fly up there and start taking sessions with the boys straightaway. He's going to help and guide me and mould myself into how I want to be, getting the best out of the players and out of myself at the same time.
"For me I still want to play so it's going to be a hard balancing act in terms of making sure that I've properly prepared myself while thinking about what others are doing so that's going to be a challenge in itself."
One of the key things that Tindall will bring to the table is experience, a crucial commodity as Davies strives to help the young Gloucester squad realise their massive potential.
"Last year at times we saw the best of what we've got but, at other times, we saw moments where things didn't go for us and we didn't adapt.
"Hopefully what Nigel can do is continue the young players' understanding and development so that, when things aren't going right, they can make better decisions and come out on the right side of the one point games.
"That's one of the biggest things for me. We know what we're capable of when we get it right, look at Toulouse last year when we beat the best team in Europe but we need to respond the right way when things go against us.
"Hopefully, with Nigel's help, we'll get that balance right. But I just want us, as a team, to go out and play that Gloucester brand of rugby, entertain our loyal fans and win most of our games."
