“In Mehmet and Francis, we have two young and respected former Socceroos who we believe will take this club to the next level – both domestically and in Asia.”
With those words, Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro announced the appointment of local boy Mehmet Durakovic as head coach and Francis Awaritefe as Director of Football, but most importantly of all, set his club on a new direction.
While the two-time A-League champions are looking to become a more open, transparent and welcoming football club the determination to reiterate that they are still the big boys in town remains.
Central to this is the club’s continued pursuit of Socceroos star Harry Kewell. The term “game changer” has been bandied about in relation to the possibility of signing Kewell and it’s spot on.
The press, media attention and hype that would come with the 32-year-old’s arrival would invariably elevate the club back on to centre stage. Brisbane Roar’s football may have been the big story out of the 2010/11 season but come the start of the next campaign, if Kewell is involved, all eyes will be on the Victory once more. Yet this is, at least in Victory’s eyes, exactly how it should be.
The flip side is what do the changes at AAMI Park mean for city rivals the Heart?
While the club’s latest signings of Fred and David Williams, to be confirmed later today, are all positive I see a Victory football department led by Awaritefe and a playing squad that includes Kewell as a big threat, but by no means a mortal one.
Instead it highlights the difference between the two clubs, which I’ve always felt lack an inherent point of distinction, and that’s something the city desperately needs.
With Fred exemplifying the kind of football Heart have made a cornerstone to their identity, David Williams, a player who was very active in engaging with the indigenous communities in Northern Queensland during his time with the Fury, extends on that by also bringing another social element to the club. Remember it’s no accident that the Heart has such strong ties with the Street Soccer program.
If the red and white side of Melbourne can stay the path and develop on these ideals they will prosper in their own unique way.
Therefore the developments at Victory should not be seen as a threat for the A-League new boys but an opportunity to further grow their identity – as it remains a very good one.
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