Under-fire Melbourne Victory boss Mehmet Durakovic’s authority has been further undermined, with star striker Harry Kewell appointing his own personal coach.
In a move certain to leave people wondering just who is running the A-League’s self-proclaimed biggest club, former Argentinian World Cup player Abel Balbo is set to work with Kewell on a one-on-one basis.
His wider brief is to ensure the 33-year-old is on track for the 2014 World Cup.
Balbo is represented by Kewell’s agent Bernie Mandic.
The 37-time international has been linked with a variety of jobs in Australia, including the Victory football director’s role made vacant with Francis Awaritefe’s sacking this week.
The Victory confirmed on Wednesday Balbo was set to become involved in Kewell’s personal training regime.
However, the club denied Balbo would join the club fulltime as Awaritefe’s replacement.
It is understood the option of Balbo working fulltime with the Victory had been floated by Mandic, but was rejected by the club’s board.
Now Balbo’s emergence in a third-party involvement with the club has heaped further pressure on all at the Victory, a club which is looking rudderless and faction-riddled off-field as well as their on-field problems.
It adds further intrigue as to whether the Victory board will stick with Durakovic despite the club’s indifferent start to the season, or bow to pressure and sack him.
While there has been heavy fan support for Durakovic to be axed, there is also pressure from higher influences building on the rookie coach.
Managing director Richard Wilson has backed Durakovic, saying on Tuesday: “This club is not in crisis. Mehmet is going to be given every opportunity with this coaching structure to succeed.”
But a poor result against bottom side Gold Coast United at AAMI Park on Sunday could force a board rethink after the listlessness on show in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Perth Glory.
Kewell remains in doubt for the weekend’s match because of a hamstring injury.
Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said Durakovic needed to show he was in total on-field control ahead of the Gold Coast match, and urged the board to keep faith with him.
“In a football dressing room, there is no room for a democracy. There is just one boss and, while Mehmet Durakovic is still in charge, he has to be the boss,” Bosnich told Fox Sports.
“Mehm needs to say ‘there’s one boss here, and that’s me’.
“And if players don’t start performing, I’ll be bringing other players in.”
Lucan
Guest
Harry came to Melbourne with a personal trainer/physio who he's worked with for years. Balbo is being spoken of as a personal coach and mentor.
Fisher Price
Guest
The Kewell circus rolls on.
Aka
Guest
I'm pretty sure Harry had a personal trainer during his time in Turkey.
The Bear
Guest
So true. Victory fans must be shedding navy tears at the thought.
Paul
Guest
The interest Harry is earning on his billions is probably paying for this. I wouldn't think his MV salary would be that much. People are reading into this a bit much. Balbo appears to be more of a personal trainer and motivator. Nonetheless, as an MV fan from season 1, it saddens me to see the club become such a farce. We used to mock Sydney FC for this sort of thing.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Can't remember the exact details, but Harry is earning a percentage of revenue increases experienced by MV across a range of categories. He may well have already earned himself approx $750,000 year to date, but I don't the exact details of how it's worked out, when payment is due, etc.
Rohan F
Guest
This situation at the Victory is a joke right ? If it's not a joke then it's a farce.....Shakespeare would be proud of this
All-Codes
Roar Rookie
I see thanks, kewell must be earning a fair bit of coin to be able to pay his own trainer, do we know what the contract with Victory was? how much and how long?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
It looks like a personal appointment by Harry, quite separate to the club. It's common in more individual sports to have personal trainers, but you wouldn't say it's common in team sports. Of course you can get specialist coaches, for instance every club will have a goal keeping coach who is effectively working with 2 or 3 players in the club. It's also common for players on long term injuries to have one-on-one attention for the purpose of rehabilitation. Not sure where this Kewell case fits in.
All-Codes
Roar Rookie
So is victory paying Balbo's salary or is Kewell paying for it himself? I have never heard of this situation before is it more common in football for some players to nominate their own trainer?