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Queensland Roar bosses hope to earn the signatures of several key players in the coming weeks after today securing the services of coach Frank Farina for a further two years.
The former Socceroos coach will be with the Roar until the end of the 2010-11 A-League season after today’s agreement, and Farina believes cementing his future could sway the majority of his squad to do the same.
With the Gold Coast and Townsville likely to be home to new A-League teams next season, Farina believes it is essential the Roar secure as many troops as possible before the fight for talent begins.
“Without saying names I have spoken to a number of the players who we’re hoping to keep,” the 44-year-old mentor said.
“We all know there’s two new teams coming in next season. The players I’ve spoken to, all of them have been very positive about next season and possibly further.
“It’s moving along well. Most of it will be done before the season starts, or a week or so in.
“If there are others that are uncertain they’ll just see out their contracts and we either negotiate at the end of the season or whenever it’s appropriate.”
Key to the negotiations is club stability, Farina said, which can only be boosted by his signature today.
“Through agents that you talk to, all the feedback is the players want to know what my situation is,” he said.
“I can’t in good conscience and good faith say `I want you to sign for another two years or another three years’ and then leave.”
Top of the wanted list is the club’s two stars — captain Craig Moore and midfield veteran Danny Tiatto — who are both off contract at season’s end.
Farina admits Tiatto is coming to the end of his career, but sees Moore as a longer-term prospect.
“Danny’s 35, (but) Craig’s still only 32 so Craig’s still got at least another three years left in him,” Farina said.
“I think the most important thing is that they’re happy within the club, the structure we’ve got, the setup we’ve got.
“It’s not just about what their pay packet is, it’s being happy in the environment that they’re in. So if that’s the case, which it seems that way with most of them now, there’s no reason why we can’t keep the ones we want to keep.”
The Roar begin their A-League campaign in New Zealand on Sunday against competition dark horses Wellington, and hopes are high the team can improve on last year’s preliminary final berth.
“It’d be nice to think that during my tenure here at the Queensland Roar that we bring a championship to this state,” Farina said.
Meanwhile, Farina has backed the decision of the Football Federation Australia (FFA) to delay the A-League’s expansion until its fifth year.
“You’ve got to establish your product in the marketplace,” he said.
“I think after five years if you’re established, or if your current existing competition is established, which it looks as though it will be, then you can go for expansion.
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