Perth Glory coach Alistair Edwards has reportedly become the first coach casualty of the A-League season, with reports suggesting the club will formally announce his termination at a press conference at 9.00pm AEDT.
The former Socceroo had been under increasing pressure in recent weeks but issues escalated on Tuesday afternoon with Perth radio station SportFM reporting his son Ryan had been paid an exorbitant $35,000 bonus for playing five A-League matches.
Edwards had only been appointed to the job in February after the sacking of Ian Ferguson, following his role working as assistant to FFA Technical Director Han Berger.
The 45-year-old had come under scrutiny in the aftermath of Perth’s 2-0 loss at Melbourne Victory last Friday night.
The coach left long-standing captain Jacob Burns on the bench and started his son Ryan, and also substituted stand-in skipper Michael Thwaite midway through the second half.
Both players were heard to have been involved in a heated verbal altercation with Edwards in the Perth dressing sheds after the game.
Perth Glory are expected to make a formal statement through club owner Tony Sage later this evening.
More to follow.
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
Jacob Burns offered an olive branch and even so Edwards wanted to humiliate him by stripping him of the captaincy.The CEO had talks with a number of players and if there was a glowing endorsement by the entire playing group towards Edwards im sure he'd still be there.He'd clearly lost the dressing room and Glory wouldn't be the first club to sack a coach because of it.
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
Raghu the club are the ones who wanted to move in another direction implementing more youth and more local players to the side,Edwards was the man who they hired to implement that and im sure the next coach will have the same briefing.If you look at new CEO Jason Brewers twitter at all he is heavily involved the local scene I don't think we'll revert to the ways of the past.
Mateo Corbo
Guest
Nepotism was always going to be an issue discussed with Edwards in power. I thought Edwards approach with playing younger players was a winner. Tony Sage has been clueless in signing coaches. Guess it was either back the players or back the coach. Sage backed the players, Perth's season may now be over.
Raghu
Guest
I see you have posted the same comments in another forum. While we appreciate Sage investing in the club, he also responsible for hiring dud coaches like Ron smith, Dave Mitchell and Ian Ferguson who liked to play out of date tactics. Finally Edwards was getting the team to play a better brand of football and giving WA youth a go. Thanks Tony.
Realfootbal
Guest
Beware overly simplistic responses. There is clearly much more to this than at first meets the eye. Sage is a very smart, successful man. He has put millions into Glory, and without him there would be no Perth Glory right now. So I suggest everyone show the man some respect and assume that he had very good reasons for making this expensive and drastic decision. Other reports are suggesting that Edwards had lost the dressing room to the point where Sage was facing an exodus of players in January, and the players were lining up behind Burns. Edwards was very, very unwise to sign his sons. I was astounded when he did so.
apaway
Roar Guru
This beggars belief. From the outside looking in, it looks like the club and coach has been held to ransom by a 35 year old player a long way past his prime.
Lu
Guest
All parties in this do not cover themselves in glory (sorry, had to do it.. ).. From Owner, to coach, to player.. its one big mess.. amateur hour
Chadd Friend
Roar Rookie
Crazy decision by Sage! Perth will now be stuck with the old boys club and now the incoming coach will KNOW that the board will choose the players over the manager. Perth had a really good chance to break away from some of the deadwood and have royally stuffed it up. Mind you Sage could of well done without his two son's on board. Didn't make a great impression...
Matthew Skellett
Roar Rookie
Looks like from the details that Edwards is a crazy blind control freak mmmmm much like Wabbott :-)
Simoc
Guest
Word has it he has become increasingly arrogant over the past month with the media including making a complete fool of himself in high temperatures just over a week back. It was out of character though. Having your captain sitting on the bench for the entirety of a loss is weirdo stuff. He lost the plot and opted out.
baankskis
Guest
Gold!