Sydney FC coach Frank Farina doesn’t know if his side’s do-or-die finals clash against Melbourne Victory on Friday could be his last game at the helm of the A-League club.
But the embattled mentor says he won’t let the constant pressure and scrutiny affect him or his team as they vie for a spot in the semi-finals.
Having beaten Perth last week to secure fifth spot on the ladder, the Sky Blues travel to Melbourne for the Etihad Stadium encounter against fourth-placed Victory.
Farina’s contract for next season was said to be dependant on him securing a top-four position.
With that not achieved, now it’s believed the only thing that can save his job is a championship.
Asked if he’d had any further discussions with the club about his future Farina said: “Not at this stage, no.
“We’ve really been focused on the last six to eight weeks.”
Farina has endured more pressure and had the spotlight shore on him more than most other coaches this season – something he says is just part and parcel of coaching Sydney FC.
But he says it’s all water off a duck’s back.
“It is a game after all,” he said.
“Along with being in a high profile position comes scrutiny some good, some negative and if you dwell on either of those it can affect you.
“But I just put it behind me and say ‘let’s move on’.
“Every week is a different week and different pressures come with it.”
This week, the pressure can’t get any more intense and while the Victory have yet to beat Sydney this season Farina knows past form counts for nothing in the finals.
“It’s a stat and it’s nice to have that,” he said.
“But finals football everyone knows is a new ball game,
“It’s like cup football now. There’s no draws involved, there’s got to be results so there’s a different kind of pressure.
“What’s happened throughout the season is gone now and it’s a new competition.”
Victory come into this clash hot off their 2-0 Asian Champions League over Guangzhou Evergrande on Tuesday.
And while Farina will be hoping the tight turnaround may leave them worse off, he actually feels the win will only make them more confident.
Farina says he plans to stick to largely the same squad as last week but is hopeful striker Ranko Despotovic will be fit for Friday.
AL
Guest
HEY people leave our Frank alone. (Sung to the tune of Pinks Floyds Another brin in the wall)
Punter
Guest
No not better, more successful, with a stronger, bigger & more expensive squad. But he did by good old fashion hard yakka, no skill, no plan, while Gambau had a plan, from day 1 he had a plan. I would rather play like Adelaide & miss the finals then play like SFC under Frank, hoping APD will do something special & get to the Grand Final. I will be cheering us to go all the way, but Frankie out, we have been dismal this year, even when we won, we were lucky & didn't deserve some of those wins. Against a side like BR, we are just woeful.
langou
Roar Guru
Of course I have seen them play The aim of the game is to score more goals than the opposition. Sydney did that better than Adelaide. The ladder shows that.
bill boomer
Guest
Langou, have you seen them play? Sounds , from your attitude, like you haven't. The reason they finished where they did is down to the re-invention of their game. Changes such as this take time but you can see the merit both in improving results and game plan. Frank on the other hand has precided over inconsistent performance without a clear direction and but for the great man Frankie would , by now, be long gone.
langou
Roar Guru
Frank Farina finishes the regular season in fifth place = hopeless, a basket case, no idea, farina out Josep Gombau finishes the regular season in sixth place = legend, all star coach, changed the a-league, other clubs should follow suit.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Yeah I'm with Qantas here good luck Frankie hope the smurfs win so we can play them at ANZ the next week :-)
Franko
Guest
"now it’s believed the only thing that can save his job is a championship" Bloody hell, back to PNG next year Frankie??? Unfortunately due to the at times unfair scrutiny this may be Crankys last job in the A-League, I just can't see anyone else hiring him.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Good luck Frank on Good Friday...
Punter
Guest
Brendon Rogers says when you have the ball, this is the time your players can rest, when they have the ball, this is the time to attack & work hard. His side Liverpool is leading the EPL with a squad considered weaker then some of the other contenders. Frank Farina says possession is over rated & his team finished 5th (extremely lucky) in the A-League with possibly with the strongest (on paper) team in its history. Who do you believe?