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Following confirmation that Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero is leaving Sydney FC in a playing capacity, there is only one thing that should be on chairman Scott Barlow’s mind.
he club must secure the little maestro as their coach for next season.
The two parties announced on Monday that they had mutually agreed to part ways. It follows a partnership of two seasons that, despite failing to hit dizzying heights on the field, has produced invaluable exposure for the game off the field.
Apparently there have been no talks about Del Piero taking on the head coaching position, vacant after Frank Farina was let go last week. Yet it should be a priority. Now that his playing future looks like drawing to a close, it’s imperative for the game that Del Piero stays in Australia.
A position in the youth academy has been mooted, but that isn’t good enough. Australia needs Del Piero more than it realises. His departure would leave a huge hole in the A-League, especially coupled with Shinji Ono’s move back to Japan.
It is thought he will return to Italy for a holiday before returning in August for the A-League All Stars match-up against Juventus. While it is uncertain whether he will look to extend his playing career, making him an offer too good to refuse could help him decide.
Del Piero has signalled his ambition to make the transition from player to coach on numerous occasions, and there is no doubt that Australia has won him over.
“As far as I’m concerned, Australia isn’t just a place; it’s a state of mind,” he wrote in the English release of his autobiography, Playing On.
It’s a risk, there’s no doubt about that. But with Sydney FC management seemingly ignoring the availability of the best possible candidate, Graham Arnold, what else are they planning? Arnold has also reportedly made all the right noises off the record that he will sign with the Newcastle Jets.
Another foreign coach could be a possibility, though taking on someone with no knowledge of the A-League is also a risk. It’s worked magnificently at Adelaide United with Josep Gombau, but there are plenty of counter examples in the league’s short history.
It is interesting, however, that both Sydney FC’s title victories have both come when overseas coaches were involved – Pierre Littbarski and Vitezslav Liavicka.
Former Sydney defender Mark Rudan has also been mentioned, and while he no doubt deserves his chance at the top level, his time will eventually come. Del Piero might not return, so this is an opportunity that cannot be missed.
Del Piero may lack the required coaching qualifications to take the top job, but the FFA would be crazy not to make an exception in this case.
His impact on Australian football is unrivalled, and it would be unthinkable not to at least put an offer to him. The A-League needs Del Piero, and Sydney FC should be doing everything it can to make sure he stays.
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