Josep Gombau’s brilliant, expressive head would have been sporting a wide Colgate smile yesterday when he was announced as the voters’ choice to coach the A-League All-Stars.
The eccentric Spaniard’s first season in charge of Adelaide United has been nothing if not eventful, and the privilege of managing some of the competition’s best players against Juventus in front of 80,000 fans will end it with a fitting flourish.
It’ll also put him in the thick of what will likely be a footballing moment in time – Alessandro Del Piero’s final match, representing the league that has become his adopted home against his beloved Bianconeri.
Gombau told media yesterday he will not build his side around Del Piero, but you’d expect event organisers will twist his arm and make him do it anyway should the Italian legend decide to hang up the boots.
Whatever he does with the All-Stars – and let’s hope all the stars are there, unlike last time – it’ll be worth watching.
There have been skeptics of his promises and methods – plenty, in fact. You’re reading the words of one of them. Send the humble pie this way, please. I’ll be glad to eat it.
Debate will rage over whether Gombau truly deserves the opportunity – after all, his Reds side has not won anything just yet, while Brisbane Roar boss Mike Mulvey is eyeing off the double.
But complaining about the outcome of a popularity contest for what will be a meaningless but (hopefully) entertaining exhibition match is about as useful as complaining about Qatar winning hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. You may have a point, but nobody who matters cares what you think, nothing’s going to change, and you’re better off focusing your energy on something else.
Besides, Gombau’s journey thus far is worthy of appreciation. He is perhaps the A-League’s best coaching cult figure since tan-blazered Czech weirdo Franz Straka.
Like Straka, Gombau’s personal fan-base extends far beyond the borders of South Australia. He is admired not only for his dogged commitment to playing his brand of football, but also for wearing his heart on his sleeve.
That, and his lava lamp face. And his fascinating cadence. And the fact that his signature looks like a clock stuck at 11:40am. Seriously, look at it. What’s not to love?
The key moment in his reign, of course, was his infamous verbal scuffle with News Corp’s Val Migliaccio late last year.
At the time, Adelaide had won just once in nine outings. Gombau was being hounded – rightly, in my opinion – for effectively writing off his side’s title chances and choosing to treat the season as an educational gauntlet.
Gombau’s outburst was unprofessional and uncalled for, but in the court of public opinion, he won. He is the good guy. That’s how it goes.
Instead of further legitimising the pressure that was building over his future at the club, the incident cemented his position. It pulled together a struggling United playing group, one that was still coming to terms with Gombau’s new game plan and showcasing teething issues on a weekly basis.
“It just brought a sense of reality and urgency that we didn’t quite have,” striker Bruce Djite told SBS on Friday night. In other words, it made the players pull their fingers out, for fear the revolving door was about to get another push.
It also brought onside the fans who, in a battle between their club’s coach and a writer from the local rag, would side with the gaffer every day of the week.
Gombau has since proven himself to be an astute tactician with unwavering self-belief. When they get going, United play some of the best football in the competition. It’s fast, it’s captivating, it’s aesthetically pleasing. Most importantly, it’s effective.
Imagine how good they’ll be with another pre-season under their belts.
Credit also has to be paid to the Adelaide United administration. Heard from Greg Griffin recently? Exactly.
The chairman and his cohorts have taken a backward step. Instead of sticking their nose into something they don’t understand, they’re allowing the football people to talk about the football. For a time it seemed Griffin was putting out public spotfires every second day. No doubt his move out of the limelight has only reinforced Gombau’s authority.
The Reds can take a huge step towards securing second spot on the ladder and giving themselves an opportunity to host the A-League grand final at the new Adelaide Oval with a win over Newcastle on Friday night.
After the first AFL Showdown held there turned into something closer to a celebration of civic pride, it would cap off an unbelievable baptism for a ground treasured by South Australian sports fans.
With Josep Gombau at the helm, and his players and the fans all singing from the same hymn book, anything is possible.
Griffo
Roar Guru
...and Gombau would like to see A-League expansion: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1186408/Gombau-wants-A-League-expansion I know we are consolidating growth but even two teams before next media deal may increase the negotiating clout of FFA... ...Yes please!
Arto
Guest
As an aside to the general thread on Gombau, I'd like to suggest that the HAL All-Stars gig should be given to the NT, as it's a very similar brief - a short amount of time to collect players who aren't necessarily used to playing with each other for a one-off match. I think Postecoglu would also have learnt a fair bit from last season's match and whilst it might present a distraction from his Asian Cup planning, it might also allow him to see how some of the 'Aussie' All-Star players go in a high-profile one-off match... Btw, congratulations to Gombau for his selection as coach.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Rookie
Great football posts today. Who would have thought I would get a lesson in Spanish linguistics with my daily footy fix. It's now autumn - so to all those GOT posters I say this - winter is coming ..,
realfootball
Guest
Hmm - I did read it but perhaps that was April 1. I can't find any trace of it now.
Ian
Guest
Kasey - A couple of points - 1. On Mike Mulvey - that MM, (i thought you first meant Mulvey when you typed MM above). people really forget where Brisbane Roar were at when he took over. These established players had reached 9th and had as Mulvey puts, a sense of entitlement. He did something behind the scenes to galvanise them (which led to his contract when we played that terrible game against the Thai side for ACL qualification) which Rado Vidosic certainly could not do. Brisbane had a great preseason of training under him and came out firing from the start. And we had heaps of injuries at the beginning of the season, and recently along with the best striker being injured and suspended multiple times. Mulvey has done some pretty good things and changed the system that Ange had. Roar fans don't think he has just stepped into a vacant spot otherwise Muscat and Moss would be in Brisbane's position. You don't win the league by 10 or 13 points by faking it. 2. Gombau is fantastic. I love his passion, Mulvey has been passionate at times, but comparing the two on this is pointless. I love it that Gombau came to Australia to coach Adelaide. Good on him for being voted in for All Stars coach. 3. On Marco, up until this season started the reporting in the Courier Fail was abysmal. Not that I'm a detective or anything but I had good word the sports editor was 'editing' his articles to make them appear negative. We were playing badly at times last season but the articles were sinking the boot in. At a preseason fan forum the Roar CEO said there was a new sports editor and the articles actually appeared more balanced this season. The difference was noticeable to me and Roar fans I know. Don't know about this Marco becoming Media Manager, is someone taking the mickey? But with the Courier Fail, when we won the premiership 2 weeks ago it was only featured 8 pages from the back. It may have even had 2 pages on it. Should have been back page at least.
fadida
Guest
I don't think they "more or less blame another sport" at all. KB's comment (didn't read the article, going from Mid's quote)seems to be that if the quality and defining characteristics of AFL aren't protected/suffer too many unnecessary changes then other sports will pick up new fans. No blame on football/soccer/sockah/association football
Bondy
Guest
He has a good rapport and knowledge of the local area and with the local Rugby League too, Arnie suggested the guidance from W Bennett helped him claim the Championship for the Mariners.
Bondy
Guest
This is what I dont understand with AFL they tamper with their game and the laws to it get disgruntled with it and then more or less blame another sport, Soccer's coming to get us ?. How does that work. AFL doesn't really impose on my life I dont really mind it that much I just wish they weren't so bullish or bullyish.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Middy You may not know of Kevin Bartlett, but when I was a kid he was one of the superstars of ARules in Victoria. Until the early 90s, he held the record for most games played &, until recently, he was a key member of the AFL Rules Committee. Whilst he's certainly pro-ARules, he's never been anti-football. He regularly has MVFC players, coaches & CEO on his popular SEN Radio show. So, his ARules credentials are as good as anyone & he's well-rounded in his sporting knowledge. Whilst I don't follow AFL any more, what KB says in that article makes sense. His biggest gripe seems to be the ridiculous number of interchanges in AFL. I, too, am philosophically opposed to interchange at the elite level of any sport. I'd rather see 2 teams slog it out, with coaches needing to exhibit tactical nous in making changes, rather than simply have players run for 2 minutes, then come off have a drink, a lie down & massage; then come on again. Back in the early 1970s there was no interchange and, even 10 years ago, I felt the constant interchanging was ruining the sport.
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Tho's http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-legend-kevin-bartlett-blasts-afl-commission-accusing-it-of-knowing-stuff-all-about-game/story-fni5f22o-1226878223109 AFL great Kevin Bartlett has launched a savage attack on the AFL Commission, accusing it of knowing “stuff all” about the game. “I wrote to the AFL Commission, I said you must ask the philosophical question, what is Australian Rules? “Soccer is going to grow and get bigger and bigger. “Think 20, 25 years down the track, if you don’t have a point of difference, if you have a rolling maul of players running around the ground, then soccer will kill Australian rules football. “Soccer could destroy AFL within 25 years..
fadida
Guest
they have no idea Titus. Even in their successful years they weren't "attractive"
Bondy
Guest
I think the incentive should be you win the HAL you get the All Stars job, I voted for Mulvey.
Punter
Guest
How good is Brendon Rogers, even diehard Liverpool fans thought it was a year too early for them this year, 1 or 2 top class players short, but there they are hanging in there. Wow he would be a great marquee manager, but none would be better then Jose himself, not only a great manager but a show on his own.
Bondy
Guest
Newsflash. Arnie's been sacked services no longer required.
Punter
Guest
Fuss & Fadida, I totally agree, massive Gombau fan & even bigger one now that he is successful. Back when Adelaide was running last without a win but with a plan, I said I would prefer to be in AU position under Gombau, then SFC, which is my team, somehow at that stage sitting in 2nd place but with no plan under Frankie.
King Joffrey
Guest
agree Mid. I do however think that GA will be a good fit for most A-League clubs. The cap does after all mean all clubs are essentially poorly resourced, and he's just the resourceful type of coach for this situation. He is particularly good at developing young players and building a squad. The salary cap and squad limits suit him
stannis baratheon
Guest
Newcastle would be a good fit. Few resources but a great culture. Lowish expectations but plenty of good young players to develop. The luxury comes with days off at the beach and chasing the peacocks at Blackbutt :)
daenerys targaryen
Guest
north of the wall? To the wildlings?
tyrion lannister
Guest
I think they have no idea, having to yet taste the fruits of attractive football at the SFS
fadida
Guest
Agree Fuss. Educated football fans can see foundations being laid for a long term plan. As with Brendan Rodgers (last season) one can look past inconsistent results, or even disappointing results when a vision is clear. With Gombau it was clear the type of football he was aiming for. Given it was such a stark contrast to the primitive football of Valkanis and Alf it was always going to take some time before ideas were fully ingrained. This is the difference with Franky F (and GVE) . Results are similar to AU but there is clearly a lack of vision or a plan. Getting from one week to the next seems to be the priority. There is no development in style or philosophy. Could say the same about Moyes (and Osieck) actually, but that is another story that's been done to death (and will be done again!)