Melbourne Heart’s board have let John Aloisi go, and so far this season we’ve already seen Ange Postecoglou, Graham Arnold, Alistair Edwards and Alosi all leave the A-League, and we’re not even halfway through the season yet.
But good game to Farina, Merrick and Gombau, who were all early favourites to be the first to go.
All the best to Aloisi. I think a stint as an assistant overseas would be ideal, as another A-League club may be wary about taking him on.
On Sunday, the Heart announced John Van ‘t Schip as interim coach – keepin’ it fresh, Heart. It will stabilise them until season’s end and get them playing good football again.
They’ll be looking for a new coach, you would assume for the next A-League season.
Let’s run through some contenders (with their previous clubs in brackets): Gianfranco Zola (Watford), Andre Villas-Boas (Tottenham), Malky Mackay (Cardiff City), John Kosmina (Adelaide), Ante Milicic (Wanderers) and Holger Osieck (Australia).
The first three are probably outside 1000/1 odds to be appointed, but the world is becoming increasingly global and it might provide Villas-Boas with the perfect hideout from the English press.
Zola got a rough time at Watford and now they’re well outside the playoffs.
I’ve read elsewhere that Aloisi was on about $200k a year – don’t feel so sorry for him now, do you? This is probably incorrect, but also within the ballpark.
In the Premier League, Roberto De Matteo is reportedly on £150,000 per week as Chelsea have to legally pay out the rest of his contract.
Villas-Boas is probably on something similar, so I doubt he’ll come to the A-League.
Mackay had Cardiff playing good football as they won the Championship in a canter. They weren’t in the EPL relegation zone and they aren’t half bad, but he was sacked after months of outward “I hate you” by the owner Vincent Tan – this is the owner who booed his own players after their draw against Sunderland.
So I think Mackay would want to be as far away from Cardiff as leisurely possible.
Melbourne is a city with international appeal and many managers may seek the warmer climate, lackadaisical media pressure and overall experience that is coaching in Australia compared to, say, Millwall in the English second division.
Spanish, German and Dutch coaches are in fashion, so if the Melbourne Heart go overseas you’d expect it to be from one these powerhouses.
Middlesbrough, my English second division version of MHFC, recently appointed Mourinho’s assistant at Real Madrid. The Heart could take a similar gamble by going for an assistant at a top club.
Then again, they did just fire an experienced young coach.
Kosmina is probably the favourite, and he’d be a fairly ‘safe’ choice, with his experience in the league. Derby day would be intense – Muscat and Kosmina throwing chairs at each other, brilliant.
When Van ‘t Schip first left the manager’s job was between Aloisi and Milicic, who’s now at the Wanderers. Milicic was the assistant to Van ‘t Schip and had more experience than Aloisi.
Munn also has his phone number. Milicic would be set up in Melbourne and knows the club. It might be a bit early in his development, but it would be a justifiable choice.
Holger Osieck was rumoured to be sniffing out the Melbourne Victory assistant position – he’d be keen to get back into football and redevelop his reputation.
Whoever they appoint should walk straight up to Munn and Sidwell and ask for 100 percent control of transfer of players. There are claims that Kewell was thrust upon Aloisi by the board for commercial reasons.
They should ask for professional facilities, as they currently train at La Trobe Uni, and to be allowed at least the same time as Aloisi was allowed.
For now, Van ‘t Schip has to do his best to make the finals and keep Heart competitive.
Ian
Guest
Be great if a young Aussie coach got the Gig. I like the idea of Ante Millicic be great to see what he could do. As a jets supporter I'd love to see heart do well in Melbourne.
Arto
Guest
I was gonna say: "What one Earth makes you think AVB would say yes to MH?" But herein lies a challenge for MH, they've axed Aloisi & gone with Van't Schip, so who is a good man for taking over from next season? This is where the Board will really earn their money (or fail miserably & suffer the rightful calls to resign themselves!) unless of course the sale of the club brings with it a new Board!
fadida
Guest
Blieberg has a reputation that far exceeds his actual deeds. Edwards tactically was a mess at Glory, exemplified by his fateful last match when he made no attempt to win and even get a draw. It was all about not losing by too many. He's a timid and conservative coach. Heart can afford neither
1860melbourne
Guest
I wouldve thought someone like a Miron Bleiberg who has had reasonable success in the past might be looked at . If you look at the talent that he has brought through the Gold Coast side and now playing at other A league teams its a credit to the guy. He has an eye for international talent also eg Traore .
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Forgot about Edwards. He's a strong possibility, the others a just whimsical, wishful thinking.
Stevo
Guest
Tough call as to what coach next for HeartFC. Wouldn't be a problem if money was no object but it is a limitation so clearly can't see any of the fancied EPL/La Liga/etc names coming here. No to Kossie - he just leaves wreckage behind him. Holger showed that his best days are behind him. Ante is waiting for Popo to depart overseas before taking the reins himself at WSW. I can see Alistair Edwards as a candidate. Knows the local scene and restrictions imposed by the salary cap and the Glory was starting to find some good form and was bringing youth through. A good possibility.
The Auteur
Guest
Aren't there any managers that managed in the old NSL but still can do a job in the A-League that are still available?
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
I hear that Paolo Di Canio is still at a loose end...
fadida
Guest
I pointed out he was Irish and a very rare exception to hoodball. Kosmina may have an ok win percentage but he's identikit Farina. Uninspiring football personified.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
I don't think coaches should be judged on their nationalities. Brendan Rogers had Swansea and now Liverpool pllaying football not hoofball and his is Northern Irish. Haha AVB and Zola were more tongue in cheek and Kosmina doesn't have a bad win %.
fadida
Guest
Coaches are sacked regardless of nationality. If we are to develop the game here we need to avoid British coaches, the majority of whom are far more interested in "passion" than the technical and tactical side of the game. With the exception of Alex Ferguson, who still played a British 442, up and at 'em with wingers (and underperformed in the more challenging UCL) British managers can't even get jobs at big clubs in their own country :) Moyes had of course got the United job and is floundering. Sherwood had taken over at Spurs. First step, get rid of that any foreign stuff and go 442 just like 'Arry. Rodgers, an Irishman at Liverpool is playing a more continental style (compare to dalglish), but otherwise Brits are floundering in the EPL again, though there is plenty of '"passion". And yes, I think Postecoglu could "out coach" most English coaches given the same resources (but of course he wasn't a name player and so won't get a gig there)
bribieboy
Guest
Fadida, So you are saying our coaches are better than the Brits. If this is true then why do we keep sacking them
Holly
Guest
Kosmina ? HaHaHaHa
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Haha get AVB for a laugh!
fadida
Guest
Thanks Wicked Ninja. My objection isn't with Brits as long as they have been brought up in a different football culture
brian drian ni
Guest
Kosmina has proved repeatedly that he's not good enough.(as has Farina)
Wicked Ninja
Guest
Mulvey's lived in Australia for 30 years and his entire coaching career has been in Australia. He's clearly an Aussie coach.
Angus
Guest
Mulvey is British...
fadida
Guest
McKay no. No Brits please. Kosmina?? We know that he's not up to it x3. Any club recruiting him deserves what they get. AVB. Couldn't afford him Zola? Can he coach? Osieck? I'd love to see it, just so we can put into context how good or otherwise he is. The ideal candidate has experience and a track record of working on a small budget. They should come from outside the British Isles (hoof!). A candidate based on having a name as a player only should be avoided (don't need to have been a horse to be a jockey)