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Many Melbourne Victory players are out of contract at season’s end and Victory need to decide who stays and goes. But that all depends if interim coach Jim Magilton stays too.
If a new manager comes in a lot of players could be given another chance, but there are rumours around town that Magilton will be remain.
At the Melbourne Victory Fan Forum on Tuesday night Chairman Anthony Di Pietro praised Magilton for what he has done. The way Di Pietro talked about Magilton implied he would be staying.
If Victory have already decided who will coaching the side next season, what about the playing staff?
Carlos Hernandez, Ante Covic, Diogo Ferreira, Rodrigo Vargas, Grant Brebner, Tom Pondeljak, and Fabio are all out of contract, and Jean-Carlos Solorzano, Mark Milligan and Ubay Luzardo all have their loans expire at season’s end.
Milligan’s club JEF United Chiba started their season last weekend and have already asked for the Socceroo to return. No surprise there. Should Victory try and sign him? Yes. Will it happen? No.
Solorzano is returning to Costa Rican parent club LD Alajuelense, and to be honest hasn’t had a great season.
Luzardo is unlikely to sign a permanent deal and most likely will return to Hong Kong side Kitchee. The Spaniard had a good first game but like the whole defence in the last few. He hasn’t convinced, but there are three games to go.
Vargas and Pondeljak haven’t featured much under Magilton and both have been linked to Victorian Premier League (VPL) side Green Gully.
Vargas’ brother Andy happens to play at Green Gully Reserve while also being assistant coach to Ian Dobson. The 33-year-old has lost his pace with age and with Petar Franjic preferred under Magilton it is unlikely Vargas will stay. He may not be good enough for the A-League, but for the VPL he will be brilliant.
Pondeljak has been injured most of the season and hasn’t featured since round eight against Gold Coast United under Mehmet Durakovic. Pondeljak too happens to be 36 years old so, so is in the same boat as Vargas.
Fabio, who had a scratchy first half of the season under Durakovic, has been one of the better players under Magilton. The Brazilian’s ability to run up the wing, put good balls in the box, and take a set piece has been a great contribution.
Fabio was signed initially on a one-year-deal in case he couldn’t settle, but looks settled at the moment. Under Magilton he should be offered a new deal.
Brebner has just suffered an ankle injury and will miss the end of the season, having featured regularly under both Durakovic and Magilton. But he is currently 34 and slowing, and has mistimed some tackling lately. Some Victory fans haven’t been happy with his ability to go forward and it really depends if Magilton wants a player like that.
But with Milligan leaving, a place in central midfield is available and the experience of the former Scottish U21 representative could be very handy. I have small feeling he will re-sign for experience, but with Victory likely to favour youth, I may be wrong. Brebner being British like Magilton may also be a factor.
With Victory likely to take a youthful approach to their squad, recruit Diogo Ferreira is likely to be offered another deal. The Olyroo is only 22 and can still improve and play several positions.
Ante Covic has had a great season if you compare him with the rest of the players. Will he stay? Another I am not sure about, but with the former Socceroo at 36 years old and taking a large chunk of the salary cap, probably not.
Tando Velaphi and Lawrence Thomas are great young ‘keepers for the future, and will most likely be first and second choice next season. Velaphi was already set to be first choice before he was injured on the eve of the season.
Like Covic, Hernandez is costly and is a VISA player, so his retention depends on who Magilton wants for the VISA spots and if Victory can afford him. Hernandez is a great footballer but is lazy and unfit. Does Magilton want to keep someone like that around?
Hernandez is also very settled and loves Melbourne so may decide to stay, but has also been linked to Sydney and Adelaide. Should Victory re-sign him? I think so. Will they? Like Covic it really depends on the salary cap.
Youngsters Nick Ansell and Luke O’Dea have also been told that their contracts will not be renewed, but if Victory want to take a youth approach then surely two of the best youngsters in the state should be retained.
Danny Allsopp, Matthew Kemp and Billy Celeski are all contract next season but under Magilton their futures are in doubt.
Kemp, who stormed down the tunnel after being substituted, has been fined and suspended one week after Magilton found his tantrum “unacceptable”.
With the former Adelaide United defender struggling with injuries after serious knee surgery and a lack of form, it is unlikely under Magilton that Kemp will stay. To be honest I wouldn’t keep him, I think there are better options in Australia.
Billy Celeski has had an up and down season. He started well but after suspension has struggled to get into the side. The 26-year-old also has had problems with injuries, especially osteitis pubis, since injuring his knee in 2009. Celeski has not made a single appearance under Magilton. Should Victory keep him? I don’t think so.
If Magilton does re-sign it is likely that there will be major changes to Melbourne Victory’s roster, as was hinted at the Fan Forum. But before any players’ futures are decided, Victory need to appoint a manager.
No point letting players go or signing new players like Tom Rogic when there is still no-one in charge for next season.
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