The A-League has benefitted significantly this season from the efforts of two locally raised and developed football managers, and I say that with a great sense of pride.
Graham Arnold has led the Central Coast Mariners to the A-League premiership with an impressive 2-1 away win at Wellington Phoenix to secure the title by two points, but the hard work was done over a long 27-match season.
During that time both Brisbane and Central Coast at various times broke away from the rest of the field and looked likely to take the premiership with points in the bag, but in the end it was closer than expected and the Mariners prevailed.
Graham Arnold has also been deservedly named the 2011/12 Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) Hyundai A-League Coach of the Season.
Ange Postecoglou, the Brisbane Roar football manager, led his team to an Australian record for all football codes, with a run of 36 matches unbeaten. Brisbane Roar also play some of the most attractive football ever seen in an Australian domestic football competition.
The two stars of Australian football management come up against each other again this weekend in the first leg of the A-League major semi-final to determine who has the right to host the A-League grand final.
Arnold freely admitted on Fox Sports that Ange has challenged him this season and lifted his coaching ability to another level.
Arnold himself is credited with bringing to the Mariners a solid structure and organisation, a discipline that has stood them in good stead as they battled their way through to the right to face Brisbane in Sunday’s major semi as premiers.
Arnold and Postecoglou are former Socceroos internationals and have coached Australian international teams at junior and senior level, but they have found their greatest challenges and most satisfying rewards as A-League football managers.
Arnold says he goes to work every day at the Mariners with a great big smile on his face and its a great honour for him to work with the great staff and team he has at Central Coast.
Ange has a similar opinion of the set-up at Brisbane Roar, and echoes his own huge satisfaction of coaching in the A-League, reflecting on what he has achieved with the Roar.
Coaching the best players, competing against the sharpest minds and learning from experts in the field has clearly improved them as coaches, and perhaps given them an edge on their local and international A-League rivals.
Certainly two of the most ambitious clubs in the A-League, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory, have found themselves falling behind Brisbane, the Mariners and others, and appreciate much more the value of an exceptional football manager in getting results in the A-League.
Both clubs have shown a keen interest in contracting these managers. Ange and Arnie have also fielded offers form big-name Asian clubs and are certainly in demand.
There’s no doubt that both legs of the A-League major semi-final will bring about some very competitive, entertaining and at times thrilling A-League football from Brisbane and the Central Coast. These two teams are also favoured to progress to an A-League grand final rematch.
The highly awaited major semi and other finals match-ups starting this weekend also give a sense of anticipation that will put the recent A-League dramas well and truly behind us.
tomdartnell11
Roar Rookie
Spot on about local managers. Ange and Arnie definitely torch-bearers for quality Australian coaching. Proof is in their results and extraordinary feats of fast, effective transformation of Roar & Mariners into successful, elite-tier clubs. Both are now setting the domestic benchmark.
Jonno
Guest
Seriously, being given the support of your club to be able to develop your style and philosophy isn't a sacrifice, but rather a great opportunity, which they both embraced. I don't understand your response, both have had the same ups and downs all coaches go through, but have had greater support than most. What journey do you mean? There are many experienced coaches updating their qualifications and others who already have, I'm sure most of them would like to work with National Teams as these two have and have the support of clubs. The biggest problem is not enough faith is put in the knowledge of our local coaches.
Midfielder
Guest
Asia pays much more and the J-League will be were he will go...
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
That's the curse of the A-League in some respect for players and managers and the fans alike, you do well, you get noticed and offered more money and more challenges abroad. I can't see Ange or Arnie staying at their clubs for more than one more season. Sydney FC are very determined to snare Arnold and there may be an announcement after the grand final.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Arnie and Ange have made great journeys of discovery to improve themselves as managers and as people and it has taken great sacrifices. The thing is they have made a successful transition and the out of work Australian coaches need to go on that same journey of self improvement, before they will prosper.
jbinnie
Guest
An excellent article pointing out what can be achieved by local talent if and when they are allowed to carry their thoughts beyond players,matches and preparation.It is interesting to note the writer may be of the opinion that both these coaches have carried their philosophies over into the boardroom and no doubt their successes on the field have helped to bridge that notorious chasm that has seen many ill-informed appointments and sackings in the past. Praise aside, it is going to be interesting to see how Graham and Ange are going to improve their present standing in the HAL, for improve they must,and with Van Egmond,Herbert & Kosmina now having been shown the way, how that trio will attempt to bridge the gap, already in a 2 year hiatus.May the improvement continue. jb
bart
Guest
It has been great watching both these coaches create teams that play some nice football and taking it to the big clubs. i hope that both stay at their clubs at least a bit longer to build up the base of the teams and keep everything solid for some time.
Jonno
Guest
I think these two coaches show exactly why Australian coaches should be promoted and used in the A-League, they have both done a fantastic job, their clubs have had the guts to support them from the start, something, I think other clubs have been afraid to do, either because they have been far too influenced by the FFA and their desire for imported coaches, particularly Dutch, of which we have had several who haven't delivered or a misguided belief that if you are an o.s. Manager you must be better than a local.. We have far too many experienced Australian coaches out of work because of this attitude and we could be reaping the benefits of giving them the same support. Come on Sydney, Heart and Victory see the light!
Chop
Guest
I just hope that Arnie doesn't sell his soul and go to the Sydney FC's. Lawrie McKenna and he have done a great job building the club, now it's time to enjoy the results.
Midfielder
Guest
Good article... May I take it a stage further the Smurfs and MV sides on paper were much stronger than the Mariners .... In a league that has a salary cap with a marquee that can be added the coach his selection of his squad and how he sends his team out will decide who wins in our league...