Roar Exclusive video: Interview with Sydney FC’s Ian Crook [VIDEO]
Roar Guru By John Davidson, 28 May 2012 John Davidson is a Roar Guru
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New Sydney FC head coach Ian Crook says he won’t be looking to make a big-name, overseas player signing for the Sky Blues, who he aims to get playing a possession-based style of football.
Former youth team mentor Crook, who has replaced Vitezslav Lavicka as coach, says because of budget restraints and the fact that Sydney FC already have two marquees in Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle, the club probably won’t hunt for an overseas star.
Crook, who has previously had coaching roles in Australia, Japan and the UK, wants Sydney FC to play football on the deck and says the club needs to improve its mindset.
“There’s always pressure on Sydney FC,” he says. “We’ve got to deal with expectation, probably a little bit better than we have done in the past.”
Crook spoke extensively with The Roar about new player signings Fabio and Ali Abbas, his plans for the future and about “bringing back the bling” to the club.
The Englishman also revealed the young players he expects to be challenging for a spot in the 2012/2013 season and spoke about the future of young Sydney FC star Terry Antonis.
Watch the full interview below.
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May 28th 2012 @ 9:13am
Midfielder said | May 28th 2012 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Well done John… I remember Ian from Northern Spirit days and have huge respect for the man… no show pony just a hard working tradesman … I think SFC have made an excellent choice…
May 28th 2012 @ 9:16am
Bondy said | May 28th 2012 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Well done The Roar and John ,
With marquee signings I think it illustrates what Dwight Yorke did for the A League ,I dont know what Dwight was on but a just retired premiere league player could go to South East or West Asia and pull $ 400,000 a month easy, where just simply not in the race for those types of players the Del Pierro’s , Inzaghi’s of this world .
Hopefully the sports media is Sydney will realise that marquee signings will economically cripple the competition,and all for what so a journalsit can interview Ruud Van Nistleroy and ask him what was he’s time was like at Chelsea .
May 28th 2012 @ 9:56am
whiskeymac said | May 28th 2012 @ 9:56am | Report comment
emerton and carle – tbh they have marquee signings – as acknowledged by the coach.
i wld love to hear what Van Nistelrooy would have to say about Chelsea, altho PSV, Man U, Real and Hamburg might get a better response.
marquees wont cripple the comp if the owners dont care (i assume they can afford it some of them) on cost and some clubs cld probably do it (SFC has rich owners) but i agree its not the most viable way to attract people to (or develop), the game beyond short term interest. Roar did well with a good style and by winning – that is the best way to get interest medium term. I think there was an article on TWG saying as much (from the Reds and someone else i think) altho i suppose that it is also a self serving argument in that it would be a way for those clubs to justify not having one as much as the real reason for not pursuing one (ie they cannot get a decent one or afford one).
May 28th 2012 @ 10:26am
Qantas supports Australian Football said | May 28th 2012 @ 10:26am | Report comment
As a reinvigorated SFC supporter, I was hoping for a bit more from Ian Crook in this interview. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to the new season carrying the SFC colours. My advice to Ian for the new season is to employ Mike Mulvey, ex GCU coach he will be a handy asset for the Sky Blues developing young talent.. Now we know that no new big name signing is going to join SFC for next season—we need to work smarter within the existing playing group to bring this team together and win some silverware..
May 28th 2012 @ 11:33am
whiskeymac said | May 28th 2012 @ 11:33am | Report comment
possibly without these 2 (bridge possibly expected but Petratos?)
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/bridge-and-petratos-crossing-over-to-sydneys-west/story-fn63e0vj-1226367419858
May 28th 2012 @ 5:44pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | May 28th 2012 @ 5:44pm | Report comment
Whiskeymac—-Hmm that’s interesting thanks for the link.. Like to read more on transfer movement in the HAL..
May 29th 2012 @ 2:47pm
John Davidson said | May 29th 2012 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
Thanks guys. Crook has some big decisions to make in terms of the playing squad. Will be a very different Sydney FC that turns out next season. In Part II of the interview Crook talks about his background as a player with Tottenham and Norwich, how he ended up in Australia and his time in the old NSL with Northern Spirit and Newcastle United.