Who would have thought just over halfway into their second season, the A-League’s newest club, Western Sydney, would have the longest-standing coach currently serving in the competition?
Tony Popovic, who was appointed the Wanderers’ inaugural coach less than two years ago in May 2012, is already enjoying a longer stint in the role than any of his present colleagues.
It’s a surprising statistic that serves to highlight the intense pressure on mentors and the perhaps overly reactive decisions of clubs as Sydney FC’s under-fire boss Frank Farina stands to be the next casualty.
Already reports have emerged that Farina’s sacking is imminent with his assistant Rado Vidosic tipped to be his successor.
So far, three coaches have been sacked this season with Perth’s Alistair Edwards and Melbourne Heart’s John Aloisi dumped in December while Newcastle gave Gary van Egmond the boot last month.
And with the clubs occupying the bottom three places on the ladder, new coaches Kenny Lowe, John van ‘t Schip and Clayton Zane face tough tasks not only securing finals berths but their jobs for next season.
Then there are the resignations with Adelaide’s John Kosmina standing down early last year and Wellington’s Ricki Herbert – the league’s longest-serving coach – closely following.
Their replacements Spaniard Josep Gombau and Ernie Merrick, however, have led the struggling sides into a mid-season resurgence and look the in-form teams heading into the business end of the campaign.
Ian Crook crumbled under the pressure that comes with being the Sydney FC head coach only weeks into his tenure last season, to be replaced by the club’s seventh mentor in eight campaigns in Farina – someone the club saw as a long-term solution to the revolving door that is the Sky Blues’ coaching role.
But sitting in seventh place after stumbling to their seventh loss in the past 10 matches – a 3-0 shellacking by Adelaide on Saturday – Farina has his head firmly on the chopping block.
The frustrated fans made it clear they’ve had enough, demonstrating their displeasure on Saturday by staging a revolt, calling for not only Farina’s head but that of chairman Scott Barlow and chief executive Tony Pignata.
It was one of the darkest nights in the club’s history with the atmosphere at Allianz Stadium described as toxic.
And many of the club’s loyal fans have threatened to give back their memberships.
But while Pignata and Barlow apologised to fans over how various issues were handled on Saturday, the one glaring omission from their extensive statement was the backing of Farina.
So while Farina will reportedly be relieved of his job if Sydney do not make the top four this season, it seems the club might not even wait until then to give him the axe.
ALL OF THE COACHING CHANGES AT A-LEAGUE CLUBS:
Adelaide United:
Previous coach – Michael Valkanis (interim from January 2013 after John Kosmina stood down)
Current coach – Josep Gombau (from May 2013)Brisbane Roar:
Previous coach – Rado Vidosic (sacked in December 2012)
Current coach – Mike Mulvey (from December 2012)Central Coast Mariners:
Previous coach – Graham Arnold (left in November 2013)
Current coach – Phil Moss (from November 2013)Newcastle Jets:
Previous coach – Gary van Egmond (sacked in January 2014)
Current coach – Clayton Zane (interim from January 2014)Melbourne Heart:
Previous coach – John Aloisi (sacked in December 2013)
Current coach – John van ‘t Schip (from December 2013)Melbourne Victory:
Previous coach – Ange Postecoglou (left October 2013)
Current coach – Kevin Muscat (from October 2013)Perth Glory:
Previous coach – Alistair Edwards (sacked in December 2013)
Current coach – Kenny Lowe (interim from December 2013)Sydney FC:
Previous coach – Ian Crooke (stood down in November 2012)
Current coach – Frank Farina (from November 2012)Western Sydney Wanderers:
Current coach – Tony Popovic (from May 2012)Wellington Phoenix:
Previous coach – Chris Greenacre (interim from February 2013 after Ricki Herbert resigned)
Current coach – Ernie Merrick (from May 2013)
bill boomer
Guest
I take issue with frank "putting together" our 06 wc team. They were our golden generation and to a man picked themselves. Under him our qualification was in doubt so we brought in hiddink and... People saying who to bring in, well what a about a quality OS coach a la gombau, litbarski or any number others in Europe or south America. They are there and getable. Kossie, Culina or kalak, give me a break those hacks are well past their use by date.
Australian Rules
Guest
"Who would have thought just over halfway into their second season, the A-League’s newest club, Western Sydney, would have the longest-standing coach currently serving in the competition?" That's almost unbelievable.
langou
Roar Guru
You could mount an argument that the team that has got us to the past few World Cups was essentially a team put together by Farina. Some of them were no brainers(playing in big leagues in Europe) but some of our best players from that era were selected from relative obscurity as young players.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Good point. There were good coaches before Ange however until Ange arrived the expectation on Australian coaches to emulate their foreign counterparts wasn't really there. Ange's work at Roar heralded a lifting of the domestic coaching benchmark.
Towser
Guest
We can split the coaching era in the A-League into two sections pre & post Ange. His time at the Roar simply raised the bar for coaches in the League. Frank like Kossie was a pre Ange coach,he no longer has a place. If Sydney FC had even one iota of an idea of their "football culture" ,Frank wouldn't have been touched with a barge pole. Not Frankies fault then that he is currently staring at the end of his A-League coaching career, should never have been there in the first place.
striker
Guest
Ian what record how many word cups did he get us to, he has bought in alot of players himself with no results not good enough.
Ian
Guest
Frankie seems to have had quite a good record while he was NT coach. Plus his captain coach Strikers title. I like Rudan's analysis on fox and no doubt he has the makings of a future A-League coach, but i hope they stick with Farina. I can't help but think he's not responsible for all the crap going on at the club. Though surprised about putting Carle and Thompson in quarantine to train by themselves.
striker
Guest
Doesnt bother me i am a WSW supporter i hope you stick to Farina we will smash you guys every time under him.
Franko
Guest
Farina's record a joke? He had won a championship in the NSL as manager. Came 3rd in Confederations Cup, beating Mexico and France in the process Knocked off England, France and Mexico and drew with Brazil as NT Manager. Signed youngsters such as Zullo and Oar to the Roar and had them heading in the right direction But no Rudan is a far better option, he's won a NSWPL title...
striker
Guest
Clayts Farina record at the national team and Brisbane Roar were a joke and you only need to look at what both teams have done since he left them, He has no idea how to coach or any vision going forward, rudan is ex-Sydney FC guy who has passion for the club and has done wonders at Sydney United with limited resources, im sure he will get picked up by one of the other A-League clubs if Sydney FC dont want him.
clayts
Guest
Yeah you gotta love those that are so quick to say, "Bring in Rudan." Why exactly would he work? Surely Farina would have had more of a chance of working than Rudan.
Franko
Guest
Sack Farina and bring in who? Rudan? The guy has no experience at A-League level and will change little to nothing. Culina? Kossie? Bleiberg? Vidosic? Kalac? Corica? Nothing will change with these guys. If, and only if, they can bring in Zola, they just may have a chance of getting the club back on track. But it will cost a lot of money and require a lot of persuasion.