Brisbane Roar has announced the appointment of former Socceroo and football analyst Paul Trimboli to the position of General Manager of Football. Earlier, Francis Awaritefe was announced as Melbourne Victory’s Football Director, which drew the ire of pundit Robbie Slater.
Trimboli, 42, will step into the newly created position on August 1.
Trimboli, a two-time Johnny Warren Medal winner will work closely with coach Ange Postecoglou to develop a football philosophy for the club.
Brisbane Roar CEO Eugenie Buckley said Trimboli’s appointment was an important part of the club’s evolution.
“We feel Paul’s standing within the game, the respect he garners within the football community and the exceptional business experience he’s gained were a perfect fit for the position.
“Paul will form an important part of our administrative team and will be responsible for managing the business requirements of the Football Department.
“In conjunction with the administrative part of the role, Paul will also work closely with Head Coach Ange Postecoglou to deliver the best possible football outcomes.”
The move comes on the same day it was announced that Francis Awaritefe was appointed as Football Director of Melbourne Victory.
Fox Sports analyst Robbie Slater was baffled by the decision when it was announced.
“(Awaritefe) talked about philosophy and mentioned Barcelona; well you’re not a TV analyst anymore. You have to have your own philosophy, which you get from a number of areas,” he said after the announcement.
“You talk about the coaching experience that Mehmet Durakovic has… for me I can’t see where the experience of Francis Awaritefe, what it’s going to bring to Melbourne Victory. I don’t know when he’s worked with junior players or coached anyone for that matter. I find that an absolutely incredible appointment.”
“That is a vast job, that is all encompassing. And you need experience and credentials to be able to do that job.
“It’s like they’ve plucked something out of the sky and there you go ‘we’ll give it to him’. It’s an incredible decision.”
Slater’s comments were disparaged by Craig Foster via Twitter, noting: “To say coaching experience is necessary for FD (sic) demonstrates no understanding of role. Not suprising, it’s only existed here for few years.”
He went on: “As to role of Football Director, it is not a complex issue. The FD liases between board/management and coaching staff, sets technical policy.”
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