The Central Coast Mariners have withdrawn from negotiations with John Aloisi, leaving the door open for A-League rivals Sydney FC to sign the Socceroos hero.
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Both clubs released statements today outlining their positions, with Sydney confirming they were in advanced talks with Aloisi and the Mariners admitting they had given up on retaining the 32-year-old striker.
“The Central Coast Mariners wish to advise that John Aloisi has concluded his contract with the club effective today,” the Mariners statement read.
“Over the past month, the club has been in discussions with Aloisi’s management with a view to exploring the opportunity for John to continue his career with the Mariners.
“During this process, the club tabled a major offer using its very best endeavours to secure Aloisi’s services well in excess of what the player had been offered for the recently completed season.
“During discussions with Aloisi’s management, it became abundantly clear to the Mariners of the earnings Aloisi could generate from other clubs, both in Australia and particularly overseas.
“After a lot of soul searching and as a result of this process, the club advised Aloisi’s management a fortnight ago that it would not be in a position to increase its offer to Aloisi and further agreed that it would stay silent on the matter until such a time as the player had completed negotiations with other clubs.
“At the end of the day, the club had to weigh up a decision to increase the offer made to John while measuring such an impact against the future financial certainty and viability of the club.
“Regrettably that decision was to withdraw from negotiations with John and in so doing wish him and his wonderful family every success possible in their future endeavours while always leaving the door open for him to return to the Mariners in the future should the opportunity arise.”
News Ltd reported today Aloisi was on the verge of becoming Sydney’s new marquee signing, replacing former Brazil international Juninho in a deal believed to be worth about $1 million.
“Sydney FC is speaking with Socceroo John Aloisi about the decorated striker joining Sydney FC for the 2008-09 Hyundai A-League season and beyond,” the Sydney FC statement read.
“Negotiations between Sydney FC and Aloisi’s management are progressing well and are at the advanced stage.
“Contrary to rumours no contract has been signed.
“Sydney FC is hoping to be able to finalise the negotiations in the very near future and an official announcement will be made if Aloisi signs a contract to play for Sydney FC.”
An official announcement could be made as soon as Monday, with Sydney also expected to unveil 22-year-old Mark Bridge, who was Aloisi’s opposing striker in last week’s controversial A-League grand final, won 1-0 by Newcastle.
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onside said | March 2nd 2008 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Financial pragmatism aside , this is sad news.And the A League has lost Jununho,along with
the ex England U21 player Bridge.Really decent men,and terrific to watch play the game. I know,
I’m a hopeless romantic,we’ve got to pay the bills.Its funny how things work out sometimes.Both
Newcastle and CCM were better teams this year than Sydney, but both teams have lost two
exceptional players to Sydney.I look forward to the day there is enough money in the system so
success is rewarded not penalised, and clubs can hang onto pivotal athletes.And at the same
time a few more shining lights from other countries can play in Australia. It’ll happen .Be patient
mick of newie said | March 2nd 2008 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
I suspect (and hope) this is more bad business for SFC.
Both Bridge and Aloisi are overrated. As a Jets season ticket holder Bridge was the most frustrating player to watch, technically able but very lazy. Yes he scored a cracker in the GF and more because of that than anything else he has done this year we would have liked to have kept him. The attitude of many jets fans to Bridges move to SFC before last week was don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
As for Aloisi he is 32 and yes he did score 7 goals from 15 this year but his conversion rate in the last 6 weeks does not warrant a big pay packet. I say well done to the Mariners for calling his greedy advances for a new contract. As for any other marque qualities, Aloisi has shown a distinct lack of style or class (a complete contrast to predecssors Juninho and Yorke) he is a snarling angry man. He and Kosmina willl get on well.
Midfielder said | March 2nd 2008 @ 7:05pm | Report comment
onside age and size did not give jununho much match time and I suspect it would the same next year. For me we have over 50 midfielders playing in Europe bring back some of them IMO.
As a Marriner I can only offer praise on the way Aloisi handled his off park duties, on the park TBH I through Joel Gri & Archie were more dangarous on the ball. That is not to say he is not a top class striker but if one million was needed to get him then I am glad we are spending the million elsewhere.
In closing he will help Sydney as his off field stuff is top rate and the flying choppers need someone of his quality in the crowded Sydney media market.
Mick of Newie said | March 3rd 2008 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Midfielder
My criticism was not of his offfield work, I have no experience of that, what I was talking about was the way he carried himself on the field, chaisng linesmen arguing with the ref down the tunnel and haraunging teammates not very classy. By contrast Juninho and Yorke carried themselves with grace and style.
For $1.4M Sydney could have bought Burns, Djite, Musiliak, Bridge, Zullo, Kruse and Holland (I know thwey are not all off contract). Now even in Sydney that would put bums on seats for years to come. But it is their money.
Midfielder said | March 3rd 2008 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Mick
I agree 1.4 million HELL he will need to produce something, Also agree when compared to Yorke & Juninho he carried on a bit, I think he over did it actually, but he also to be fair copped a lot of shirt pulling and attention.
But heavens 1.4 million blows me out of the water
Mick of Newie said | March 3rd 2008 @ 11:28am | Report comment
Midfielder
I am just glad they didn’t go after the Jets. For $1.4 they could have had a field day up here. They could have got Joel for about $400k a year provided they sling Con $200K for the transfer. So $1.4 would give you 3 years of Joel who at 28 is a better long term prospect than Aloisi (we can debate whether he is a better prospect right now).
Lets hope Juninho heads up the F3 (and I’ll hope he stays on till the Wallsend exit)
Midfielder said | March 3rd 2008 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Mick
Could not agree more, they still have not got it have they, to build a team and a strong supporter base you need street people with street experience, not some Bondi laptop guy looking at the All Ords go up and down.
Both Newcastle & the Mariners have had impressive years in Hal but both based on building grassroots support with coaches and managers able to pick those players who form the core of a team, for you guys Joel, for us Hutch & Jedi are worth more than JA & Tommy P, its a call by the coach. But 1.4 million plus Bridge & Simon Cos, me thinks there must be some ghosts working as clearners at those Westfield Shopping towns.
Just on the side I think GVE is the best coach in the A-League, and how he can cope with Con he needs medal.
We must start a thread on here about which team will go further in the ACL nexy year.
Mick of Newie said | March 3rd 2008 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
I just had a chat at the water cooler with a workmate of mine who is close to Jade and Durante. The players are filthy that Con couldn’t or wouldn’t keep the team together. Unfortunatley for the good folk of Newcastle we can’t have our cake and eat it. The only way we were going to get A league is with Con and Con is mad and irrational. This time last year I was filthy with him for selling Carle (too cheaply). What is great is he gave us a championship. The flip side is the Jardel fiasco, the Terry Venables fiasco and the list is a long one. I was even filthy he sacked Nick Theo (that lasted about 2 weeks before I realised what GVE could do).
I said to my workmate you watch next year Van Egmond is off contract and will go and I bet Joel, Adam G, Jade and Covic all go with him. Con has been good for GVE and GVE has been good for Con. But GVE now needs a chairman prepared to spend the full salary cap, plus Service Agreements plus marquee and gives him free reign to do the recruitment (let alone team selection!!).
My tip is he will end up at whichever of Sydney or Melb don’t make the champions league qualification. And I reckon $1.4M would get you GVE plus all those players.
My hope is that Con signs Joel and GVE to long term lucrative contracts now. If he does I reckon most young players in the country will want play for GVE and the Jets will be okay.
As for the Mariners it will be interesting if Lawrie can buld a young team around Vuko, Boogard, Wilko, Heff, Jedi, Hutch, Kwasnik, and Caceras. You won’t want my advice but I reckon you need a quality right back and of course a goal scorer. Sash is 33, Mrdja permanently injured and Simon does all the right things except score. Will Lawrie be prepared to go overseas for a striker (because there is no one available locally that will do the job).
Midfielder said | March 3rd 2008 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
GVE is to good to stay at Newcastle, if Con remains in similar mode, my guess would be MV.
You read our team well, I have always through Simon is a natural right mid, and with Hutch, Jedi & Caceras it would be good midfield.
As I said earlier if you go to the FFA site and Aussier abroad there are plenty, for me Joel Porter would be OK getting on a bit but still has a touch of class, and you are right about our right full back. It will be for Laweri a testing year as it will be the first time he has funds to spend and other teams will know our style.
As for Newcastle, why Con let Durante go is beyond belief, IMO one of the best central defenders in the league, both as a defender and a organisor.
Mick of Newie said | March 3rd 2008 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
Durante was one of those situations where he was worth a lot to Wellington, they need him. I wanted to keep him but can understand the Jets not matching an over the top price.
He was great in the second half of the year but I think he was always GVE’s 3rd choice central defender behind Jade and Adam G. Early in the year he played right back and came off the bench. It was Griffo’s move to midfield that made the space for Durante to come back in. He is not as quick or athletic as Jade or Griffo. If GVE can keep Musialik, D’Apuzzo and bring in Zadcovic then Griffo can go back to stopper.
As for the Mariners I keep a close eye on them as it wouldn’t surprise me sometime in the years to come that I will have to go to Gosford to see A league football. I am a big fan of what Lawrie has done and the phony style wars got a bit tedious. I can assure you that if the Jets played the same style as the Mariners and won the good folk of Newie would love em.
Having said that next year will be a big year for the Mariners. If Lawrie plays the same way and they don’t have success I reckon for the first time he might come under a bit of pressure (I accept that is 2 big ifs).