The Roar
The Roar

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Roar won't be raided, says Postecoglou

24th April, 2012
6

No players are expected to follow Ange Postecoglou to the Melbourne Victory after the departing Brisbane Roar coach ruled out a poaching raid on the A-League giant he helped create.

Indeed the Roar squad sounded determined to prove they were no one-man show after Postecoglou confirmed on Tuesday he had resigned “effective immediately”.

Postecoglou dropped the bombshell on his players barely an hour after the team were honoured with a tickertape parade and public reception in Brisbane for claiming back-to-back A-League championships.

He is expected to be announced as the Victory’s fourth coach in little more than 12 months later this week.

But asked if any Roar players’ contracts had out clauses linked with him, Postecoglou said: “I don’t work that way mate.

“When I work for the club I would never undermine anyone (like that).

“Everyone contracted are committed to the club.

“I won’t poach players, there’s no reason to. That’s not how I roll.

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“If it (club success) doesn’t go beyond one person I haven’t done my job properly.”

The Roar have 17 players under contract for next season and seemed intent on building on Postecoglou’s legacy.

“All the key players have signed new contracts and maybe we can get some more next season to make us even better – we have a big chance to win another title,” Roar playmaker Thomas Broich told AAP.

“For us as players we already have enough incentive to make it three (straight titles) – it doesn’t matter who is coach.

“Every good player, every good coach, they come and go.

“At first you are disappointed, then you get over it.

“Last year we had people like Matt McKay and many more leave and look at us.

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“We are here again, we are celebrating (a title) again and we want to do it again no matter what.”

Still the players felt compelled to release a statement on Postecoglou’s departure on Tuesday, such was their respect for the man who helped turn them into champions a season after wallowing in second-last.

“He has been a huge part of many of us being at the club and helping to drive us to the success we have enjoyed over the past two seasons.

“We wish Ange every success in the next step of his career.

“While we appreciate all the effort he has put in, we are now focused on the next chapter in the club’s history.

“As a playing group we are committed to the club, its ideals and philosophies and will continue to work hard in pursuit of future success.”

Life without Postecoglou begins next week when they resume their ACL campaign in Japan against Tokyo FC.

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Long-time assistant Rado Vidosic is expected to take over the reins after all but being endorsed by Postecoglou.

“Rado has been assistant coach for seven years and I know he has ambitions to coach – I guess this would be a great opportunity for him but it’s a club decision,” Postecoglou said.

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