The work has only just begun for Langerak
Columnist
By Davidde Corran, 14 May 2010 Davidde Corran is a Roar Expert
Mitchell Langerak of Melbourne Victory. AAP Image/Martin Philbey
I’m sure it’s a pretty good time to be Mitch Langerak. Or Melbourne Victory. Or even Borussia Dortmund. Mitch has “achieved his dream”, the Bundesliga outfit have got their man and Victory have saved face after, in the eyes of many (including Langerak), seemingly bungling this transfer.
So tonight Langerak will fleetingly enjoy Melbourne’s new “rectangular” stadium, say goodbye to his team-mates and then embark on the kind of journey that will make leaving Queensland for Victoria seem like a trip to the supermarket.
While the move might bring mild riches (even at a significant club like Dortmund, a back-up goalkeeper will only earn so much) and fulfil Langerak’s dream of playing football in Europe, the hard work for the 21-year-old has only just begun.
Despite being a boisterous and exceptionally talented shot-stopper, Langerak must develop his ability to command his box.
Even though Dortmund have clearly seen something in the youngster, he must build on that if he’s to repay their faith and make the grade in Germany.
One online outlet made the rookie mistake of referring to Langerak as the “Future Socceroos goalkeeper” while reporting his transfer to Dortmund yesterday.
As if any player can have a place in the Socceroos preordained!
Earlier this week Craig Foster referred to James Holland as a future Socceroos captain, which he could very well be if he finally finds his feet in Holland.
As much as anyone, Foster appreciates what “Dutchy” needs to do to finally break through at AZ Alkmaar, but it might not be in his hands.
Australia has not produced a more professional or committed footballer than James Holland but sometimes failure to make the step up is not your fault.
The former Newcastle Jets midfielder was on the verge of first-team football in September last year, he was even named in AZ’s Champions League squad, but his sojourn to Egypt as Young Socceroos captain cost him dearly.
A similar warning goes out to Tommy Oar. Despite the hype, I was still surprised a few weeks back when Dean Heffernan told me that Oar was the toughest player he’d come up against in the A-League.
But as we’ve seen numerous times, the gap between A-League level and the top flight in Europe is still large. There are as many non-football obstacles in the way as there are challenges on the pitch for these players to overcome.
So let’s dial down the rhetoric just a bit.
I have no doubt that Langerak appreciates the task in front of him. Yet, the truth is, he needs to build from here. Over the next two seasons the soon-to-be former Melbourne Victory goalkeeper needs to break into the Dortmund starting 11 or at least show signs of getting there.
It’s something too few A-League products and “future Socceroos” have managed to do.
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MV Dave said | May 14th 2010 @ 7:57am | Report comment
Brilliant news all round. MV played hard ball as they have a right to for one of their talented stars…as a result the reported offer went from $500,000 to $1 million plus an extra $500,000 once he plays 25 senior games plus 5% (reported) of any ongoing sales. Mitch gets to follow in the footsteps of his boyhood hero in Schwarz and also plays for a club who (this season) averaged 77,000 for their home league games. A win win scenario…gotta love the A League!
Nelson said | May 14th 2010 @ 8:45am | Report comment
“and Victory have saved face after, in the eyes of many (including Langerak), seemingly bungling this transfer.” I suppose the author belongs to the “sell on the first offer” camp along with such esteemed company as Jesse Fink?
As MV Dave says above, MV had every right to negotiate for the best offer possible and play hardball. Now, whilst they find themselves with a bit more cash in the pocket they have to find another keeper, and are likely to have to sacrifice much more of the salary cap than what Mitch was taking up – another consideration that many so quick to criticise Melbourne Victory overlooked.
Well done Gary Cole and MV, and all the best in the Bundesliga, Mitch.
Davidde Corran said | May 14th 2010 @ 6:45pm | Report comment
Nelson, nope. This is the first time I’ve heard of the “sell on the first offer” camp. I did think they’d “bungled” things after the second offer when Langerak was fuming.
whiskeymac said | May 14th 2010 @ 8:59am | Report comment
agree with the other comments. MV did the right thing by themselves, and ultimately you’d have to think the HAL, in negotiating so well with a ‘significant’ club. It’s good to see players can make the move from the HAL to top leagues. Hopefully this will be a trend, where the HAL clubs get some reward for players transferring to big clubs, and where promising players sign up here first (and we get to see them).
as for Langerak. Well done. Hopefully, for you and aussie fans, you make it. Bouzanis and Langerack show promise between the sticks; as does Valaphi and Federici etc etc. Good to see the goal keeping stocks with so much potential.
as for holland, i hope he gets reward for what is reported to be a very professional and determined mindset. first team action in the eredevise is no mean feat. if he can crack that hopefully he can, like emerton/ cuilna before him, make a name for himself there and maybe in other top leagues. am also hoping ruky, carney, sarota, oar and zullo make the grade in their respective clubs. N Burns shows that hardwork can pay off with his success this season.
AndyRoo said | May 14th 2010 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Good luck Mitch.
It’s early days yet but it’s an exciting transfer.
Harvey the Scouser said | May 14th 2010 @ 9:25am | Report comment
this kid’ll be a star
we’ve been looking for someone to replace schwarzer
he’s it
give him a couple of years
mahony said | May 14th 2010 @ 9:26am | Report comment
Great news for him, MVFC and the A–League. We will always be a feeder league to the second tier leagues witht he odd exceptional individual off to the big 4. Australia could do a lot worse than acceopt this reality – develop a conga line of talent to drive league finances and build the Socceroos all in one strategy. Even as a Melbourne person who will miss Mitch I can see nothing but positive in this move and any future moves like it.
Aljay said | May 14th 2010 @ 9:48am | Report comment
I’m in two minds about this one. I’m concerned that the next time we hear from he will be in 3 years time when he’s loaned out to the German 3rd Div or a Swiss team. Let’s face it, he will be doing a lot of sitting on the bench ala Jess Van Strattan. Does anyone see him getting 1st team game time in his first 2 years?
As for James Holland – must be time for a Burns-esque loan for him to get some PT.
Harvey the Scouser said | May 14th 2010 @ 10:16am | Report comment
it’s a reasonable plight to raise
affects keepers more than any other position
you’re either startin or in the Cut
no n’between
no tens minutes here, 15 minutes there
at the same time, I reckon Mitch will become a better keeper than Jess
Ben of Phnom Penh said | May 14th 2010 @ 7:11pm | Report comment
Great move by Nathan Burns by the way. It really has brought him back into the frame for both club and country.
JF said | May 14th 2010 @ 9:58am | Report comment
Great news for Mitch, his story is of special interest for me as I grew up in the same tiny Central Queensland mining town as him, this is a great story for all young kids growing up and playing sport in small country towns.
AndyRoo said | May 14th 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
I wonder if the Bundeberg Waves wil see any of that money.
cruyff turn said | May 14th 2010 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Well they should in my opinion!
Fair enough that the Victory pockets the transfer fee, but let’s not forget the grass roots clubs that do a lot to nurture these young players. Even if the Bundaberg Waves were to receive 5% of that $1 million, that’s $50,000 – which could be used to do any amount of good around a small club. This way, clubs at the grass roots level will be rewarded for developing talent.
By the way, well done to the Victory for not taking the first offer. For too long, Australian clubs have been too easy when negotiating with European clubs, and it’s part of the reason why Australian players have been undervalued on the transfer market.
David said | May 14th 2010 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
I think there is a rule that the grass roots team gets 10% of the TR fee it was about 1 million so they should get about 100K
Harvey the Scouser said | May 14th 2010 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
if thats the case thats a good rule
Axel V said | May 14th 2010 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
weren’t they debating on SBS a few months ago that the grass roots currently get nothing but they should for every single transfer done to that player?
AndyRoo said | May 14th 2010 @ 3:21pm | Report comment
In regards to Jedinek Sydney United got a chunk of cash when he went to Europe (but they wanted more obviously) but their main concern seesm to be the mandated 3k maxiumum they get for the initial transfer from state league to A league.
Axel V said | May 14th 2010 @ 3:28pm | Report comment
I see, thanks for clearing that up!
viper2716 said | May 14th 2010 @ 4:26pm | Report comment
I think compensation for player development starts from the age of 12 , so what ever clubs he played for after that age are entitled to compensation .
Axel V said | May 14th 2010 @ 3:01pm | Report comment
This is the stadium and fans that Langerak is headed to.
Absolutely fricken amazing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUsFqNgD02Y
Some of their chants are what the Victory active fans use, and Sydney FC get their chants from the Victory!
crank your speakers up and enjoy the atmosphere!
Ben of Phnom Penh said | May 14th 2010 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
the “Yellow Wall” is rather spectacular. Hopefully Mitch gets a chance to play in front of it. The reality is though that he’ll be back-up for some time as the club develops him further. And as far as “future Socceroo” goes, there are a couple of other half decent keepers in the mix who may have something to say about that. Let’s assume we aren’t going to see him for a while and give the kid the time he needs to develop.
Davidde Corran said | May 14th 2010 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
As always, very well said Ben.