It’s time Sydney FC made good on their promise to become one of Asia’s biggest clubs. If ever the Sky Blues are to become a serious force, they cannot afford to get another coaching appointment wrong.
The news that Sydney FC had relieved coach Frank Farina of his duties was as predictable as it was unnecessary.
Unnecessary in the sense that chairman Scott Barlow didn’t need to sign off on a permanent deal for Farina in February 2013, before the Sky Blues had even crashed out of finals contention last season.
While it’s true that stability is sorely lacking at a club that lurches from one crisis to the next, surely Sydney would originally have been better retaining off Farina’s services on an interim basis, and using the 2013-14 off-season to commence a more thorough search to replace the departed Ian Crook?
That’s what they’ll have to do now, having more or less wasted what could be Alessandro Del Piero’s final season in a Sky Blues jersey.
Whether Del Piero stays on in a coaching capacity next season – perhaps with one of his former Juventus cohorts in tow – remains to be seen.
The mail almost two months ago was that Farina would not be retained as Sydney coach, regardless of whether the Sky Blues reached the finals.
Is it any wonder, then, that the former Brisbane Roar coach failed to inspire his team to any great heights, when all he ever received from the Sydney board was a string of mixed messages?
How is it that a team with a billionaire owner continues to err so badly when it comes to the relatively simple business of appointing a coach?
Farina, for what it’s worth, acted with nothing but dignity and decorum during his tenure, even if he was not everyone’s cup of tea – or beer.
But if the reclusive David Traktovenko is to make any kind of mark as Sydney’s owner, it’s about time he used some of his supposed football influence to appoint a genuinely world-class coach.
And he can forget conducting a ‘worldwide search’ before attempting to appoint ex-Central Coast and Vegalta Sendai coach Graham Arnold either, because word is that Arnold is being heavily sought by the Newcastle Jets.
Wouldn’t it be a public relations nightmare if Arnold ended up in Newcastle and Del Piero pulled on a rival team’s jersey next season, as could conceivably happen?
There’s a fine line between making a rushed decision and conducting due diligence, but it’s high time the Sky Blues got a critical coaching decision right.
It’s a shame to even be talking about it, in a week in which we should be celebrating the build-up to the A-League semi-finals.
Saturday’s clash between Western Sydney and a fatigued Central Coast should be a sell-out, while a big crowd is likely to turn out at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the showdown between table-toppers Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.
Both the Mariners and Victory will be deflated by their midweek AFC Champions League results, but the reality is that all three Australian clubs at times performed impressively in this year’s competition.
Indeed, Victory were desperately unlucky not to qualify for the knock-out stage at the expense of South Korean side Jeonbuk, not least because Kosta Barbarouses should have been awarded a penalty in stoppage-time in Jeonju.
The Asian Football Confederation should not only scrutinise the poor refereeing decisions, which have blighted several Champions League fixtures this season, they should also throw the book at a Guizhou Renhe which utterly disgraced the competition by naming just three substitutes on the bench in Parramatta on Tuesday night.
At least our A-League representatives gave it a red-hot go.
So too did Frank Farina. He may have been a square peg in a round hole, but the Sydney FC board – not Farina – is responsible for that.
Punter
Guest
Considering he will still be involved in the Allstars game & that he is the Asian Cup ambassador, I think he will be back in Sydney in some sort of capacity in the near future, maybe getting his licenses & taking on SFC. Absolute LEGEND, Ale, Ale, Alessandro Del Piero SFC no 10. Thank you so much for coming to the A-League.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Not only is the gratitude mutual but it is very genuine. Maybe he could help SFC get their next marquee? Not sure how good things are between him and the club.
Bondy
Guest
AZ A nice read, Ale will be missed by all Australian Football supporters not just his former clubs, fortunately he will be aiding as an ambassador for the Asian Cup and I hope he can continue his great relationship with Sydney FC and Sydney in general.. He's exhibited pure class with his presence in Australia on and off the pitch.
AZ_RBB
Guest
For me, above all was the way he conducted himself throughout his time in the league. His club struggled and almost fell apart around him but he remained a true professional. Idolised him when I was younger but have even more respect for him now. I highly doubt his replacement will be able to match him. But maybe the next one might be part of a more successful SFC?
Striker
Guest
AZ what a legend he has been a champion and has given so much to our game will be missed by all football fans here thanks for the great memories Ale.
AZ_RBB
Guest
ADP has officially quit Sydney FC - http://en.alessandrodelpiero.com/news/ciao-australia_433.html
Nova
Guest
http://www.fromthestandsal.com/2014/04/24/chelsea-keen-on-buying-sydney-fc-reveals-insider/ Dude. It's a joke. Literally. “We’ve had 11 managers in the last 14 years or so. Likewise, Sydney FC are searching for their eighth in nine years. The similarities are evident, it’s a match made in heaven!"
Frank Bellissimo
Guest
Have a look at an interview in Russian with subtitles of Roman explaining why he sacked Roberto Di Matteo. Very ruthless and has no room for losses.
j binnie
Guest
Surely the move made public last week should point the finger at possibilities.Han Berger (a very experienced coach according to his CV) has been invited on to the board with the CEO singing his praises. So would anyone be surprised if one of the Dutch mercenaries arrive to join Sydney FC. I wouldn't,There are plenty more where Pym,Jan,and John came from. jb
AZ_RBB
Guest
Apologies if this has been mentioned above. But I heard that SFC sacked their conditioning coach, Anthony Crea yesterday as well. This seems to have been met with almost universal support from SFC supporters. They blame him partially for the injuries woes SFC have experienced over the last couple of seasons.
Punter
Guest
RF, I didn't say ADP would be a great coach, I said he couldn't be worse then Farina, you haven't suffered 2 years of crap football like I have these past 2 years. Arnold is not a good fit for SFC, I want to see good football like you do up in Brisbane. While CCM has been successful, they were not a joy to watch. Rudan is also inexperience at this level, I would like I said see how he goes as an assistant. All I said was I would prefer ADP to either of these. While I agree about 'the chosen one', we are talking A-League here. Guardiola & Ancelotti, 2 of the better coaches around were no mugs as players. Man U's greatest player Ryan Giggs has been given the reign at Man U. There are rules to the exception.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Maybe you should have read the article, Marchisio, as it wasn't about the Jets and their financial position. That is merely a topic that arose in discussion. The article is about the next coaching appointment of Sydney FC.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Mr Verna - I will no longer abide your desire to remain anonymous - I put it to you that you are treading a fine line between jealousy and a full-blown psychological disorder with your constant hounding of my work. Not only do journalists ask questions of the public every day - that is, in fact, the essence of their work - but as others here have stated, I was simply engaging in the debate, which is the entire raison d'être of The Roar. I don't believe in censorship of any kind, but unless you cease making such pointlessly personal attacks on my character, I'll put it on record here and now that I'll consider having you banned.
Mato-Bateman
Guest
Agree with everything you said but no coach should be given one year deal. The new coach should be given a minimum 3 year deal. 3 years to shape the squad and culture. He has a 3 year plan at Sydney United, and he is into his second year. I think he should be assistant under whoever is the head coach. The benefits will be great, just look at Phil Moss at Mariners but if he was given the head coaching role, I wouldn't be disappointed.
Marchisio
Guest
Ok sure, but here's a journalistic process. Contact the Jets, interview them about cash flow. This is something he could do over the phone, sure initially it would be "Mike Who" but after he tells them how many code wars he's started on the roar, they would naturally impressed and give him the interview. This is a writer who is constantly talking up his journalistic credentials, and the cross he must bear as a football journalist. Engage with the process fine, but bring some journalistic integrity to the process. This article was slapped together. I've avoided reading Tuckerman's articles of late. I was interested in this topic, again disappointed.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
He directed a legitimate question to Griffo, Griffo responded with an eloquent answer. I do believe that is an example of how a forum is supposed to operate.
AL
Guest
As a SFC member who attends all games I say AMEN to your comment Qantas supports Australian Football. Once the eggball codes started the pitch was an absolute cow paddock. Isnt the SFC owner a cashed up, then if he really has SFC at hart we should build 20K stadium for SFC only.
realfootball
Guest
Soon to belong unequivocally to Melbourne City.
realfootball
Guest
Ease up. This is a forum. Tuckerman is simply engaging with the process, not committing a war crime.
realfootball
Guest
Really, Punter? Great players have a very poor record when it comes to coaching and managing. The bottom line is this: you don't need a brain to be a great player, but you do need a brain - and a good one - to be a good coach/manager. Brains and great players are a very hit and miss affair. Arguably the greatest coach of our time is Jose Mourinho. He was never a player at all, but he has what he needs - a ferocious intellect and a ton of self belief.