With Ange Postecoglou favourite to become Australia’s next national football coach, this Friday’s clash against the club he coached to back-to-back championships, Brisbane Roar, could prove to be his last game in the A-League for some time.
As a Roar fan, I could not say enough about how grateful I was that he coached my beloved team.
When he left to return home and coach Melbourne Victory, I was gutted but given hope that he’d done enough to leave the club in a good position.
After narrowly losing to Perth Glory in Round 1 of 2012/13 and thrashing the team he ventured to (Melbourne Victory) 5-0, I was optimistic.
I was so optimistic I jumped the gun and predicted the Roar would become the first team to win three grand finals in a row.
After that, everything fell apart, and despite convincingly beating Victory 5-0, it would be Ange who prevailed once again as his side would finish third in what was another hotly-contested season.
I began to miss what Ange had brought to Brisbane Roar and I started to develop just a hint of resentment and jealousy, just as I’m sure many other Roar fans did too.
So often he spoke of building something special, a dynasty, a legacy, but to our surprise he up and left after winning our second championship.
I could understand and respect the decision he made, for being a father myself, I know how important family is. It still didn’t change the fact I would become envious.
I was envious of what Ange was capable of, for he was now going to do to Victory, what he did to the Roar – make them a real contender, a title threat.
Now, I don’t fully support the likely decision Football Federation Australia will make to appoint Ange Postecoglou the head coach of Australia, but I do want him to succeed.
Do I think he will? Well if his form being an A-League coach is anything to go by then I guess we’re in safe hands.
Though how will Melbourne Victory cope without him?
Will the quality of coaching he has brought to the A-League take a hit?
Are there any other coaches qualified enough who will be capable of taking the league to the next level in terms of quality coaching?
These are all confronting questions that we will face in the coming days and for the rest of the season, but if his last match does end up being Friday’s match against Brisbane Roar, then I hope its one match that both Roar and Victory fans will savour.
And one that Australian football fans will remember forever.
Regardless of whether he gets the job, he is a testament to the A-League, will never be forgotten and will always be welcome back with open arms.
Here’s to Ange Postecoglou.
Ian
Guest
I like the idea of a Thanks Ange celebration this Friday if he is announced as NT coach. Happy for BR to spoil the party.
Midfielder
Guest
Given that Kevin Muscat will more than likely be the next coach... this should be the song they sing about Muscie ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrxePKps87k#t=187
Cameron
Roar Guru
If Wanderers can replicate the same success of last season then I'd have to say their team will challenge that mantle, but yes Roar easily at the moment.
Ian
Guest
Cameron/TK Full credit to Ange bringing in the broom during the 2010 season and there are no arguments from me about the level of football that was created with Ange at Brisbane. This includes everyone involved. It was brilliant. It has been a pleasure in recent weeks with the change in tone in the CM. The recent change in tone though I attribute to sources other than Ange, no point of difference about the level of success bringing more interest since 2010. While on a roll, a small article in the current edition of 442. The magazine featured a top 20 club sides of all time and Les Murray wrote a one pager on his top 5 australian club sides of all time including NSL and preNSl days. His pick for number one side was Brisbane Roar 2010-2012. I've always said the same thing.
TK
Guest
Ian, Good to know the background. I still think if the Roar had been less successful under Ange that the paper would be less interested. Don't get me wrong I'm no CM apologist...I buy the CM as a cheap way to line the box my son's pet guinea pig lives in - not to read the articles. The afternoon paper mX is much better on their football coverage, though I admit the guinea pig can't tell the difference.
Cameron
Roar Guru
"The whole game should thank him for creating the environment for all A-League coaches to keep constantly improving. That to me if he does become National team coach, will be his major legacy at domestic level."" I wholeheartedly agree!
Cameron
Roar Guru
Jamesb, This article is in no way, shape or form aimed to detract from what Mike Mulvey is doing with Brisbane Roar. MM has actually instilled enough belief in me to believe Roar will be a top 2 side. This article's central focus is aimed to pay testament to what has been done by Ange Postecoglou and ultimately credit what has been set in motion - the constant improvement the A-League is experiencing.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Ian, Whilst I don't fully credit Postecoglou with the change that has now occurred in the CM 18-24 months later, he can be credited with the improvement in quality of coaching and the way football is being played today - which inturn has increased the interest of football. Each individual associated with football can in some way be accredited with the change that has occurred in the past three seasons. Whether large or small, it has set in motion a snowball effect that has now led to such coverage of football from the CM. This is why, despite 18-24 months later, I credit Postecoglou to this change.
Towser
Guest
Concur pretty much with what's said here. Ange saved the Roar from themselves. I believe he not only put them on the map off the park,but also off it. The time of Frankies demise was the time also of amateurs(football wise) like Chris Bombolas. IMO this lack of football knowledge allowed the climate for the "boys club" under Frankie to develop. Anyway Ange turned up the rest is history. The whole game should thank him for creating the environment for all A-League coaches to keep constantly improving. That to me if he does become National team coach, will be his major legacy at domestic level.
jamesb
Guest
Mulvey's doing a better job then what he has been giving credit for. Roar were a sinking ship last season when Rado was in charge, but since Mulvey took over, Roar have been sailing along nicely. BTW: does that cartoon look like Ange. It doesn't look like Ange at all
Ian
Guest
TK/Cameron I agree with falling off chairs and rather more, jaw dropping in the last couple of weeks when on one day I saw 3 pages of football coverage. there has been increased advertising for fox sports in particular covering the a-League. However I disagree with Ange being responsible for this. The coverage was crap and biased for the previous 18 -24 months at least. Ange left 18 months ago also. I stopped looking at the CM for football reporting as articles were continually taking a negative angle with no support at all. Also with half a page of reporting on football if were lucky. I knew someone who knew somone etc....close with the reporter initials MM. The sports editor was having a large say on how the stories ended up in print which were different to what was written. The Roar stopped inviting MM for interviews. At the fan forum i went to preseason Dobson brought this up and said there was a new sports editor who had talks with them. This has coincided with increased positive coverage for Brisbane's football team. In addition they said Fox had lost out on rights over summer for the Big Bash or whatever it was so the A-League was going to be their biggest sport and put more focus on it. i agree with Cameron's article sentiments, but on the CM coverage its nothing to do with Ange, othewise it would have happened years ago. Lest us forget the two page spread the week before the 2012 grand final which completely put the boot into football. Anyway, whatever the reason for better coverage, (shame i missed looking at yesterdays paper), be it new sports editor or a push by foxtel.......I fully welcome it and more importantly hope it stays.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Mahonjt, If Ange leaves in the coming weeks, I don't understand how he will have left a legacy at Melbourne Victory. He's made a lot of progress and with him at the helm I hold firm to my belief that Victory will finish first. If he leaves you could credit him once again but surely its not the same as what he did at Brisbane, for he was there the whole time they won their titles.
Ian
Guest
Rado does have brains........he worked in well with Ange which is why Ange recommended him to be head coach. Which in the end was not a good idea. And Mulvey changed the dressing room around mid season which I feel is a lot harder than what us amateurs would think. on another point - I also enjoy how Mulvey deals with the media. Very open and honest IMO.
mahonjt
Guest
He will leave a legacy at Melbourne, just as he clearly has at Brisbane\. Rado was not the brains, and Mike, while a better coach than Rado, is benefitting from a better culture and structure at Brisbane. Ange is the sort of intelligent, football development evangelical the league needed. He will be a big loss to our league – but long term - a boon for the Socceroos.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I almost fell off my chair! I've been buying the paper lately for its regular football/Brisbane Roar content. I'm glad times are changing and Postecoglou is definitely a credit to this. Fingers crossed if he gets the gig that he helps Socceroos hit the back page for the right reasons.
TK
Guest
As a fellow roar fan I agree with all the above. Ange really has left a lasting legacy in Brisbane both on the field and off. Testament to the impact that success was the courier mail featuring the win over Sydney on the back page on Sunday. I almost crashed the trolley at woolies in shock when I picked up the paper.. If ever there was a caged canary to indicate the progress of the a league in the community psyche the courier mail would be it. That back page is testament to the success Ange brought to Brisbane, laying the platform for the club in this city.