So, according to The World Game, Melbourne Victory is about to hand caretaker coach Jim Magilton a two-year deal despite having managed just one win in his 10 games at Melbourne, a record worse than his predecessor Mehmet Durakovic.
Comments from the Victory board in recent days even hinted that Magilton will be driving the club’s recruitment policy, having outlined what he feels needs to be done with the current playing roster.
At a fan forum last week Chairman Anothey Di Pietro explained that the hiring of a permanent head coach would dictate whether the Victory look for a Director of Football or a Football Operations Manager.
In other words, whether or not the tail will wag the dog.
All of this has left me startled.
Victory’s latest approach towards player identification and recruitment is a backwards step and taking advice off your caretaker manager who is struggling with results is a risky strategy.
It’s hardly a surprise a coach who has failed to implement a clear and successful system of play – though we’re told he has “good ideas,” as Victory defender Mark Milligan put it this week – would start blaming the playing squad he’s inherited.
You can hardly imagine Magilton walking in to a board meeting and saying: “Actually guys, the players I’ve got are definitely better than where we’re at, but hey, give me some more time and I’ll get us there. Promise.”
As one Victory insider told me this week, the board “are being badly advised”.
If we look at the best practice in club management across world football, with a few notable exceptions, decisions on player recruitment and contracts remain separate from the coaching staff.
Firstly, this allows continuity within the club, as if a coach struggles or receives a better opportunity elsewhere, his departure will cause minimal disruption to the club at large.
It also means a coach is assessed only on his ability on the training pitch in preparing his team effectively for games – results and the team’s system of play can be assessed without muddying the waters with accusations on the quality of players available to a coach.
Yet, after lurching from a “revolutionary” approach to the football department at the start of the season, through to an outdated system now, I can only assume those who are advising the Victory board are seeing something from Magilton that has yet to transfer through to his team’s performance.
Di Pietro and the Victory board best hope so, as there’s discontent brewing amongst the blue and white faithful.
The A-League’s biggest support base deserve a lot better than what they’ve witnessed this season.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
SFN The MVFC Board has admitted to its members they got it wrong with Mehm. Mehm had been at the club for years, coaching the youth team, so the Board knew him very well. I was not impressed with Mehm during the ACL, although I thought he did a better job in the ACL than Ernie. Only people, who don't follow MVFC, will be unaware of how close Magilton has been to taking MVFC into the finals with a technically & tactically poor back 4. In my opinion, simply getting a better organsied & technically competent back 4, would result in MVFC winning 5 of the games we drew. That's at least 10 points we've dropped b/c of schoolboy defending.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
SFC were the first team to beat Brisbane Roar, ending Brisbane's record undefeated streak of 35 games. Ironically, the team that beat Brisbane prior to SFC was .... MVFC! Totally ridiculous to place such a high emphasis on one poor game against SFC. Just as it would be ridiculous for me to place a high emphasis on MVFC's game a month ago when we came from behind to beat league leaders, CCM.
Bondy
Guest
Merrick linked to Sydney F.C . job . (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/former-melbourne-victory-coach-ernie-merricks-in-the-mix-for-sydney-fc-job/story-e6frey4r-1226300962365 ) .
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Roger ordinarily I would agree - but I've seen nothing to hold onto here, there are no positives, and the game against SFC was a new low, against a team not worth two bob.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Fuss - The main question is: Will the Victory board actually back Magilton if he is given the gig full time? How many games are they going to give him to prove that his system is actually coming to fruition with the players he chose over the off-season? They hastily appointed Mehm based on a couple of OK showings in the ACL the previous year and before you know it he was out the door. In came Magilton and has done nothing to this point, granted he inherited the squad (don't all new managers inherit a squad when they are first appointed?) I hope that if he is appointed that Victory have done their homework and checked all their options rather than just looking at what is in front of them right now. Magilton also knows that if he is appointed as the main man, the first 10 games next season will determine how much pressure the media put on him (start well and Victory are vindicated, start poor and Victory will be dragged through the mud).
Roger
Guest
Cattery, I'm holding judgement. You seem keen on dishing it out. One of us will be able to tell the other "I told you so" halfway through next season. I wonder who it will be.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Not in this case.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Magilton has shown nothing in those 10 games" Perhaps, if you watched even 1 MVFC game under Magilton I could take such a comment seriously. Watching on TV doesn't count - TV viewing severely limits the ability to take in the structure, organisation & players' movement.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Roger it's still a youth team, and as for the Victory, it's still a decent, experienced list, and Magilton has shown nothing in those 10 games, even Muskie managed a win with his one and only game just prior to Jim taking over. Nothing against him personally, he actually sounds good, talks the talk, much better than Mehm could do, but the results on the park have got worse, that's what's happened, there's no hiding from that.
Roger
Guest
A couple of things Cattery. Firstly, I think you'll find that GCU Youth were pretty much at the top of the table this season. That is until they were raised for the senior team. So there is PLENTY of talent to choose from. Secondly, we have no midfield! No Hernandez, no midfield. That's the reality. The problem is, we don't even have players who can play a decent midfield. And Harry is wasted without some good midfield movement. I'll take youth league GCU midfielders over the Victory midfield any day of the week. I agree the game in Sydney was terrible. But that was ONE game, and that ONE game aside, there has been good improvement in the team. I'm not saying Magilton will be a good coach, but at the same time, I don't think we can say he's a bad coach because he hasn't gotten wins after inheriting a crappy mix of players with only 10 games left in the season.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
eric1 As an MVFC fan, my attitude is Jim Magilton has been in charge of a team for 10 games. It's ridiculous for anyone to judge his coaching ability based on his first 10 results in the HAL. If every coach were to be assessed on their first 10 results Ange would have been given the boot after his first year at Brisbane Roar; van't Schipp wouldn't be here to lead MHT into the finals; GVE's early results at NUJ were also pretty poor this year. Heck, the most highly decorated club football manager in the world, Sir Alex Ferguson, would probably have been sacked if MUFC Board only worried about SAF's first 10 results at ManUtd. I've spoken to Magilton; I've listened to his ideas, his plan and his vision. He has better football playing and coaching credentials than anyone else coaching in the HAL. He needs to choose the players he wants to suit HIS style of play and he must be allowed to have a full preseason with these players before I assess his ability properly,
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Roger that last game against SFC represents such a deterioration in MV's capability as a team, that some serious questions need to be asked. Meanwhile, 2000kms to our north, a team is about to go out of existence, and a part-time rookie coach has managed a few draws with what is essentially a youth team. The difference could not be more stark.
Roger
Guest
eric, it's a bit hard to judge a coach managing a team that he didn't choose. In relation to results, despite the poor start, we are playing better passing football than we've played all season. So it is a definite improvement.
eric1
Guest
Just a question to MV supporters:What has Magilton achieved in his managerial career that leads you to believe he will bring MV any success?They say results speak for themselves don't they?
Westie
Guest
Ever since this new 'Southern European' management has taken over the Victory from Geoff Lord, the whole thing has gone to pot. In 12 months they have been 3 coaches, there is infighting, no ACL qualification, crowds have slumped alarmingly and their cross town rivals are showing them up taking away their fans. We need a new management team at the top of the club. The current board are a joke and not qualified for pro sports. SACK THEM!
Axelv
Guest
It's funny because his sarcasm points out the levels of ridiculousness of peoples expectations.
Roarchild
Guest
Good comments Brendan and can't argue with anything. I think I skillfully avoided all his press conferences.
Midfielder
Guest
Well said Trust Me...
Brendan
Guest
Every coach comes on board with the majority of his squad signed. The issue is that the signings that were made once he was on board were focused in the wrong areas. Nothing was done to address a very thin defence (everybody could see it) and a midfield that couldn't pass. To stand in front of the press and state that your aim was to play a short passing game and then start Leigh Broxham in CM was laughable. To Magilton's credit he has attempted to plug both of the major problems within two weeks if appointed.
Brendan
Guest
Fuss Interesting examples you use. If we were confident of tying down good coaches for 10years+ I can see the value in such a system. The biggest issue of the English way is that when you get a situation where coaches are turned over in quick succession the new incoming manager conducts a clear out and starts afresh again. It doesn't work well in types of situation. Look at Chelsea & Liverpool (too early at Man C to compare), the stability is a real issue for them at the moment. Where they can settle on a manager and stick with them then I agree such a approach means the DoF or FO roale becomes redundant as the manager provides that long term thinking. My assumption is that here in Aus we are less likely to see coaches holding their role for 6-10 years so a DoF role provides the stability and vision within the club. It doesn't mean that the coach isn't involve in player recruitment and selection. Just the the DoF holds the vision for long term thinking. ie Is this 19 year a 1 year contract or a 3 year contract, Oh the foreign player we just recruited is a gun. Lets re-neg he contract now and lock him in etc