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It’s an unfortunate truth of the A-League that there is a limit to what the best young players in the competition can achieve here.
Former Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek was slammed for suggesting players needed to extend themselves beyond the A-League in order to have an impact on the international stage.
It said more about the way the Dutchman went about his assessment than the actual idea itself.
Moments after his side sealed its first grand final victory by beating the Western Sydney Wanderers 2-nil at a heaving Sydney Football Stadium last night, Central Coast coach Graham Arnold put forward a similar theory.
He said defender Trent Sainsbury, goalkeeper Mat Ryan and striker Bernie Ibini “probably needed to go overseas and work in an environment where they’re playing 40-odd games a year and going to another level with their development.”
“They’ve probably hit their peak with us,” he continued.
Now, that is coming from a man who has proven himself to be one of the best coaches in Australia.
Tony Popovic’s ability to pilot his side to the minor premiership and grand final on the back of a pre-season where players were being signed in the countdown to the start of the competition was nothing short of remarkable.
Ange Postecoglou put the Melbourne Victory back on the rails and created a strong yet aesthetically pleasing Brisbane Roar side, but Arnold has worked under extreme circumstances this year.
Players, on occasion, had to wait for their pay check and the future of the club was constantly a source of speculation.
He’s not a coach looking for three transfer fees.
He’s a man who is speaking honestly about the limits of the climate in which he operates.
The A-League has forced its way into being a mainstream sport in Australia.
From 30 fans on a cold day at Pittwater Park in the dying days of the National Soccer League to the Sydney Football Stadium filled to the brim with dancing, singing, chanting, engaged, passionate and educated fans.
The game has come a long way and it’s something to be immensely proud of.
But it can still only offer certain players so much.
Fans should be proud rather than annoyed that the competition has become a thriving breeding ground for bigger clubs in Europe.
It shows something is going right rather than the structure having flaws.
If Arnold thinks letting the likes of Ryan, Sainsbury and Ibini leave will help not only them, but also the future prospects of the national side then it’s also worth it.
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