By Jesse Fink
November 12th 2008 @ 3:10am
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Let’s get some more lunatics in the asylum
I often get asked how hard it is to keep on writing about football, but, as Slippery Jim will tell you, it’s not hard when you stick to your pet themes: praising Nicky Carle, bucketing Graham Arnold and banging on about how technically advanced our Asian rivals are compared to us Aussie knuckledraggers.
(If I’ve forgotten anything, Jimbo will no doubt weigh in later.)
Another favourite subject is John Kosmina, because he’s just a gift that keeps on giving. A comedic gift. The funniest Australian I know of since Kevin Bloody Wilson. (Actually Kossie would be perfect for Kev’s next bawdy ditty.)
Kosmina wouldn’t know he’s being funny, of course, because he takes himself far too seriously when he’s losing. He likes to present himself as a lovable larrikin, but demonstrably only on his own terms: ie, when he’s in control of the situation, got nothing at stake or doesn’t have to explain himself.
When he’s not in control, stands to lose something and has a bit of explaining to do, he comes a cropper like he did last Friday night when his Sydney FC side lost at the death to Wellington Phoenix at the Sydney Football Stadium.
I’ve already written a blog about his contretemps with Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert at the whistle.
Fans of the game appalled by his antics (there are many) will be unsurprised, then, to hear the news that came out last Tuesday afternoon. Sydney FC’s and Wellington Phoenix’s respective chief executives, Stefan Kamasz and Tony Pignata, had, in the words of Kamasz, decided “they are not pursuing it any further… there was nothing more than an exchange of words. The matter is now closed.”
Hooray for self-policing! Thank god it’s all over!
Meanwhile, Football Federation Australia, which curiously decided not to investigate any part of the explosive incident between Herbert and Kosmina, has thrown the book at Gary van Egmond for his bust-up with Adrian Trinidad in Perth, citing him for “a breach of clause 2.1 of the National Code of Conduct”.
“FFA alleges that the actions of the Coach constitute examples of bringing the game into Disrepute as outlined in clauses 2.2(c), 2.2(f) and 2.2(k) in the National Code of Conduct.”
Hooray for the FFA! Consistency is their watchword!
Kosmina might have escaped penalty this time, from both club and federation, but he should be brought to account by somebody (hell, might as well be me) for his outrageous cuckolding of a hapless reporter at the post-match press conference.
If you haven’t seen video of the incident, we’ve embedded it below.
After spraying his sometime Fox colleague Simon Hill on TV (a bizarre bit of footage, and well handled by Simon; what the flip is a “scandal word” anyway?), Kosmina, looking like he’d just stepped out of a Cronulla hotel at 2am, hair messed up, tie akimbo, took to the stage in a fighting mood.
“Herbie and I used to fight with each other when we played against each other. Nothing’s changed,” he sneered wide-eyed at a journo who’d had the temerity to press him about the Herbert incident and what was said between the two.
(Which is an issue in itself; earth to Kossie, something has changed, mate: you’re the coach of Sydney FC. Entrusted with a position of great responsibility. Yet you come off like a pork chop. Herbert, meanwhile, is a consistently a study of cool and composure.)
Then another scribe made the mistake of interrupting Kosmina while he was midflow in answering a question. Perhaps not totally professional, but hardly something not repeated in any press conference anywhere in the world.
Kosmina looked at him like he’d shat on his lawn.
“Now I’ve interrupted my train of thought so you can miss out. Who’s next?” he said, trailing off with breathtaking arrogance.
But the funniest bit came at the end when Kosmina eyeballed a reporter from the website Back of the Net.
Kosmina feigned complete ignorance then had it explained to him it was a website that could be found on Google.
“Ah, internet,” he said, rolling his eyeballs and letting a Dr Evil-like grin crease his lips like he’d just come up with the joke to end all jokes. “Lets the lunatics out the asylum. The lunatics run the asylum.”
Does this man have any idea about the way the modern media works? Or does he still think people wait with bated breath at the corner tuck shop for the latest Michael Cockerill column in the Fairfax press?
The best and most up-to-date football journalism, whether traditional outlets, blogs, podcasts or even in forums, is found on the internet, here and abroad. I don’t know one football fan who doesn’t get his or her football information from the internet.
But, more importantly, as Craig Foster said on SBS’s The World Game TV program afterwards: “We’ve been wanting the media to be involved in the game for years and years… it’s not acceptable what [Kosmina's] doing [in this press conference]… when the pressure is ramped up on these coaches, it’s not acceptable then to start attacking the media; that’s their job.
“They’re an important part of the game; in fact they’re a highly valuable part of the game. The internet, and the amount of coverage this game gets, is something we’ve been asking for for 30 years… the FFA has to sanction Kossie [for this].”
Exactly. If it weren’t for the internet, for example, I don’t think we’d ever have had a Crawford Report, we wouldn’t have Frank Lowy running the FFA, we wouldn’t even have an FFA, there wouldn’t be half as much corporate interest in the sport or sponsorship revenue, and there wouldn’t be an A-League for Kosmina to get a job in. Or a Fox contract so that he could get his face and spill his mouth on pay television.
(I know this first-hand because I was deeply involved in the fight to bring some transparency to the game in the Tony Labbozzetta years, and much of that fight was waged undercover on the internet.)
So don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Kossie. It’s not becoming of an A-League coach.
But if you want to be a comedian, it’s never too late to switch careers. I think you’d have a bright future.
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dasilva said | November 12th 2008 @ 3:22am | Report comment
Kosmina is an arsehole but an entertaining arsehole.
He’s a character and a memorable character. The league needs people like him as long as he is not managing your club that you are supporting as he always bring excitement, entertainment, humour (laugh at him not with him) and then you can laugh at the misfortune of the club for hiring him as it turns their club into the laughing stock of the league.
I’m glad he is out of Adelaide but kind of miss him all the same.
dasilva said | November 12th 2008 @ 3:24am | Report comment
Watching that video it seems like kossie is the lunatic in the asylum.
dasilva said | November 12th 2008 @ 3:43am | Report comment
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Paranoia - How he thinks every thing is a media beat up
Agitation - he seems bit on the edge
Disordered Thinking - he does seem incoherant sometimes
Combativeness - I don’t need to justify this
Delusions - delusion of granduer
Hallucination - he saw a lucky decision when it was a correct referee decision
“Lets the lunatics out the asylum. The lunatics run the asylum.”
Midfielder said | November 12th 2008 @ 7:17am | Report comment
I think the sad thing is ……… we don’t have a great pool of high quality coaches to replace him.
Nick Theo … as I understand is in with gong bid ……. Ian Crooke maybe, perhaps steal GVE ….. but there is not a lot of coaching talent out there.
The more I think of it the Choppers should steal GVE……… the Jest could then hire Hacker, …………..can you imagine Con and Hacker running the Jets ……. I can dream being a Mariner supporter it would be a great outcome.
Pippinu said | November 12th 2008 @ 7:45am | Report comment
When I saw the title, I thought the article was going to be about wanting to get more characters, rogues and mavericks into the comp (Kossie and Miron being great examples). Having followed AFL press conferences for decades, the interesting ones are where the losing coach loses the plot a bit (Malcolm Blight was one classic example). Without the characters and mavericks, you’re going to get the stock, standard replies: we’re happy with the win, we knew we could do it, we’ll back up again for next week, it’s one week at a time, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, etc.
I saw this particular exchange a little bit differently. A bloke starting up his own blog tried to make a hero of himself. When Kossie wondered who the hell he was, the bloke told him to google it. If I were Kossie, I too would have been tempted to say: f@rk you, google it yourself!
Speaking of loveable rogues, here is my latest article in 442 which features an interview with Kevin Muscat:
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/88768,blog-leader-and-a-gentleman.aspx
Pippinu said | November 12th 2008 @ 7:59am | Report comment
While I too am not a big wrap for FFA’s consistency, their shoddy treatment of MV over the years is well documented (and let’s not even touch the conflict of interest with SFC), but there is one important point of distinction with the GVE incident.
Not only was he making a nuisance of himself in the after-game throng out on the pitch, he came very close to man-handling Breeze - and that’s probably more important than the words and actions exchanged with Trini (who most of us don’t like in any event). One wonders whether GVE took a leaf out of Arch’s lexicon at any stage!
Otherwise, it was just a bit of post-game entertainment, another coach feeling the pressure and lashing out - heavens above - call the police!!
Millster said | November 12th 2008 @ 8:09am | Report comment
I hear Juande Ramos has a bit of free time at the moment…
The Bear said | November 12th 2008 @ 8:48am | Report comment
Is Kossie encouraged to “act out” by market forces? Is he protected, because of the marketability inherent in his comments and charisma? If he and Kemeny can pull good crowds, sponsorship and on field character and play - then long may their reign. I find it odd however that the panic has already set in.
Sydney FC were sitting second on the table, and lost to Phoenix (who incidentally played their best game, ever) - why the hissy fits? Someone told them they were the “favourites” before the sesason - and they went for it hook, line and sinker.
And all this talk of lunacy - well, it’s certainly given Fox their sound bite for the week. Still I see AFL news comes first though in the news channel. What does Kossie have to do to get the HAL exposure?
I shudder to think.
Graciously,
The Bear
Pippinu said | November 12th 2008 @ 9:01am | Report comment
The Bear
I hope it doesn’t involve more shots of Kossie at the beach!
Mick of Newie said | November 12th 2008 @ 9:01am | Report comment
I don’t think the FFA should have anything to do with sanctioning Kosmina. He is the coach of a club that despite a multi million dollar forward line is struggling, a marque who has actually delivered less fans and club administration that sees nothing wrong. SFC and Kossie deserve each other.
jimbo said | November 12th 2008 @ 9:22am | Report comment
Jesse,
You forgot to mention the war . . .
I enjoy your articles and I think you are the best journalist on the Roar – you write well, create interest and get the most reactions and posts. But I don’t necessarily agree with everything you write.
I just think people are a bit too critical of Aussie football, mainly because they try to compare it to other things – which it will never be. Just like AFL – Australian football is unique.
If you go along to a Socceroos game or an A-League game, lean back, spread your legs, start moaning and think of England, you’re not really going to enjoy it - are you?
Love the one you’re with!
As an SFA follower I got a little excited when Kossie took over and thought we’d go somewhere, but he keeps failing to deliver when it counts and I’m now at the point where I’d like to see him go.
When we needed to beat MV to win the Premiers Plate last year we lost 2 nil at home.
Then went on to a disappointing home and away effort against the Roar.
SFA ended up worse off than when Butcher was our coach.
Five points from a possible 18 in the last 6 games this year and a chance every week to go top of the A-League and again he fails to deliver.
Not good enough and his outbursts and arrogance to everyone else in the football family are unacceptable.
We’re at the point now where Kossie must take the responsibility for his actions and do what Poppa did.
Give Arnie the job – he’s available and he couldn’t do any worse than Kosmina.
Then sign Carle as the marquee player.
Pippinu said | November 12th 2008 @ 9:25am | Report comment
Jimbo
Lay back and think of England - classic!
Give Arnie the job and sign Carle - you’re on fire mate!!
MVR said | November 12th 2008 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Some of you are too critical with Kossie. He’s one of a few who brings controversies, interest and perhaps excitement to the A-League. I hate standard lines from other coaches/players. Lines like “we work hard. we knew we could do it. we have believe blah blah blah…”. These lines bore me to death.
With Kossie, he always makes me laugh.
But stay away from MVFC Kossie. I don’t want other people to laugh at the team I support.
jimbo said | November 12th 2008 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Pip,
I’m just trying to please all people all of the time.
Slippery Jim said | November 12th 2008 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
“it’s not acceptable what [Kosmina's] doing [in this press conference]… when the pressure is ramped up on these coaches, it’s not acceptable then to start attacking the media; that’s their job.”
So Fozzie’s come out and criticised Kossie for losing his composure in an interview?
Perhaps Ange Postecoglou would like to explain the exquisite irony…
Mick of Newie said | November 12th 2008 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
Nice one SJ, can we stop the nanny state stuff. Kossie is SFC’s problem. He has a blue with a journo big deal. Is he damaging SFC’s interests i suspect yes but that is their problem.
I see no hypocrisy in the van Egmond case provided GVE is getting in trouble for pointing his finger at Breeze. No defence for that. A coach having a go at a player for alleged diving is okay by me provided its not physical. The FFA is incapable of addressing diving so it is for the players (and to a lesser extent coaches) to self regulate. If GVE is off the mark on Trinidad then that is for the public to judge.
I suspect one of two things will happen, hopefully Trinidad (at Glory’s prompting) will stay on his feet and will thus have learned a bit of a lesson on how we expect football to be played or two next time he dives a bigger blue will occur. (Hopefully Adelaide have a similar chat with Christiano after his recent effort against MV).
dasilva said | November 12th 2008 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
SJ
Fozzie a hypocrite
But he ain’t wrong
jimbo said | November 12th 2008 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Mick,
I didn’t think it was a dive - it was a collision in the penalty box and the referee had to decide if it was intentional or not - could have gome either way.
Poppa’s was a definite hand ball and both the linesman and the referee agreed it was a penalty.
GVE and Kossie are professional football managers and should be able to handle the decisions and move on.
But they are under intense pressure and there is a lot of frustration there because they are not performing up to expectations - but doesn’t warrant that sort of behaviour in public in front of millions around the world (A-League is shown live in Asia).
SJ,
I was thinking that myself, but the professor lives in a glass house - as we all do . . .
dasilva said | November 12th 2008 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
If making a mistake means that you are not allowed to criticise anyone else about the same mistake in the future (even if it’s over a year) then everyone have no right to criticise anyone about anything.
Fozzie stuffed up. Apologise on radio. Life goes on.
let’s see if we can get a public apology of GVE and Kossie in the next week or so
Millster said | November 12th 2008 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
I don’t blame Kozzie for fuming anyway. 13000 of us were as well after seeing the 90 minutes of rubbish that the team served up. Poppa’s handball - much as I hate to say it - actually restored justice to the scoreline after Musialik’s speculative equaliser. No-one there, not even the most ardent of Cove supporters, could honeslty say that SFC deserved any points from that game. So no wonder JK was a touch cranky at the final whistle.
jimbo said | November 12th 2008 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
Millster,
I couldn’t make it to the game but as a SFA fan I agree with you after watching a replay.
There are some good players in that team and they could play a lot better and be motivated to want to win every game.
I think Kossie is a part of Aussie football folklore, but he’s losing it again.
Lets move on and get a new manager and see what happens.
Mick of Newie said | November 12th 2008 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
Jimbo
I was careful with my comment that if GVE was wrong we can judge him. I think Trinidad sought the contact, I could make an argument it was actually obstruction and not a foul. I can accept more objective parties saying it was a foul. He did however dive when challenged by Ontong about 5 minutes before the penalty.
Das I have read that GVE has apologised and expressed contrition and copped a 2 match ban. As a jets fan I hope this is the case because his approach to Breeze was unacceptable.
Vicentin said | November 12th 2008 @ 3:45pm | Report comment
I’m sure there are plenty decent managers in any number of European and South American countries - many in lower divisons, who would have far superior coaching credentials to anyone in the A-League. Yes, it would be a risk and there are the usual issues of acclimatisation/language etc but I’m sure there’d be a few who love to give it a go. There are probably some more progressive coaches going around in the various State competitions too though you wouldn’t bank on Sydney choosing the right one based on form to date. I’d love to see some new names and ideas in the A-League coaching ranks.
Just to clarify, I’m not talking about idiots like one of Sydney’s previous incumbents Butcher. Littbarski wasn’t even a great manager but was still better than anything else in the A-League at the time. I’m sure that the second division of Dutch football for instance would have guys with excellent qualifications and a mastery of English etc who’d love to pack their clogs and come on over for a few seasons if offered a reasonable salary. I think they’d leave a legacy and that would have to be good for the game - wouldn’t it?
Towser said | November 12th 2008 @ 4:00pm | Report comment
Vicentin
Its interesting how theres seen a need to bring in coaches from overseas to improve our coaching & coaches at the lower levels of our National teams & into the junior coaching scene.
However the very comp were feeding these “technically improved players into the A-League has teams coached by players with little technical knowledge it seems judging by the display on the park.
Just one club taking a gamble on a Dutch coach as you say,would be worth a go.
Lets face it the idea of the A-League was to encourage youngsters to stay in Australia longer. So if we produce technically gifted players who are recruited by an A-League club coached by a non technical coach,they will be off overseas to find a club that fits .
The Bear said | November 12th 2008 @ 4:22pm | Report comment
BTW, Jesse: exceptionally self-effacing tone with the article. Refreshing. Pip, recognising my playful jibe at JK, refreshing. And Jimbo, highly amusing thought of Graham Arnold at the helm with TPWSNBN (but you named him, tut tut) as Marquee, refreshing.
I actually feel very balanced with so much healthy discussion…. in this asylum.
Graciously,
The Bear
Vicentin said | November 12th 2008 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
I’d love to see a few foreign coaches in the A-League. Some of the guys filling those positions at present have shown to me that either they aren’t going to learn a lot more and simply aren’t good or interesting enough (Kossie, Mitchell, Mckinna, Merrick), and some others could develop into something decent (Vidmar, GVE,). I don’t really know what to make of Herbet but he’s a Kiwi so it doesn’t count, and while I’ve come to admire (that’s hard for me to say) Farina for bringing-in some young players and wanting to play in an attacking fashion he still seems to be making same mistakes he was making earlier in his career - winning that NSL Championship so early in his coaching career did him no favours at all ultimately (ah, the hubris of Farina and Arnold).
If as you say we are implementing programs to improve the technical ability of our younger players etc lets go all the way and remove bottlenecks as we go. As long as contracts are structured so that it isn’t all mercenary but has development aspects for local coaching staff etc let’s bring them in. Better quality managing/coaching for locals to learn from and aspire to would, I think, be a long term good for our football.
Cpaaa said | November 12th 2008 @ 4:42pm | Report comment
something has to make headlines in sydney and its not the 1.4 million man as they hoped.
kossie is a prick that i admire, his post match comments actually gave the game some form of entertainment,because there isnt too much happening on the field.
so jess you are right, kossie is a funny guy, and thats gotta count for something!
Cpaaa said | November 12th 2008 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
OFF TOPIC
just watched channel 10 news/sport 5pm Brisbane QLD.
No mention of tonights Asian Champions League Final, …but it did mention Craig Moore’s testicles. WTF
Kazama said | November 12th 2008 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
Vincentin RE: poaching European coaches - I think this is an excellent idea. I think also it is time for some Aussies like Viddie, van Egmond and even Arnie to start looking for work overseas. It’s great that Aussie players have a pathway into the big time of Europe, so why can’t our managers look for opportunites overseas too?
Kazama said | November 12th 2008 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
Sorry Vicentin, not Vincentin! I should also add that I do agree that it would be a risk, but one that is well worth taking, as it could lead to a major change in the way A-League clubs, and thus Aussie players, play the game. Working with Brazilian coaches certainly hasn’t harmed the progress of Japanese football.
jimbo said | November 13th 2008 @ 9:05am | Report comment
Mick,
I wasn’t trying to criticiise GVE as such, I’m a big fan of GVE and he will lead the Socceroos one day.
He just needs to mature a bit more.
No matter how much you abuse players, referees or coaches the decision will stand for eternity.
Refs don’t change decisions when they get abused.
Take a look at Laiurie Mac and Ernie Merrick - they’ve had plenty of decisions go against them - they show their frustration in other ways but never abuse anyone connected with the match.
StiflersMom said | November 13th 2008 @ 8:30pm | Report comment
Truely he’s a tosser, I’ve had a gut full of him and he needs to be put in his place.