This season’s A-League grand finalists face perhaps the greatest challenge of all over the coming weeks.
For triumphant Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat, the intent will be to keep his championship-winning side together. For Sydney FC, who were insipid in defeat, much work needs to be done to avoid similar capitulations next term.
Graham Arnold’s men were played off the park in the grand final, and not because of ability or tactics. What was missing from the Sky Blues was the resilience to fight back amid a barrage of pressure from the home side. It was a challenge, evidently, they simply weren’t up for on the day.
Immediate speculation over the future of marquee man Marc Janko commenced after the final whistle, and sources claim that the Austria skipper has now played his last game for Sydney. Arnold, though, insists the striker will make a final decision after his wedding in early June.
But whether Janko – this season’s Golden Boot winner – stays or is replaced by another top-quality striker, such as Didier Drogba, is just one of the many decisions facing the Sky Blues.
Newcomer Mickael Tavares has attracted interest from the Western Sydney Wanderers for his performances in the second half of the season, though his price tag may have dropped after the weekend.
Milos Dimitrijevic, who is still at AAMI Park looking for Fahid Ben Khalfallah in the lead up to Victory’s third and final goal, is also off contract but will have seen his bargaining power plummet from this time last week.
Bernie Ibini is heavily linked with a move up the M1 to the Newcastle Jets, while grand final injury casualty Jacques Faty is another free agent.
Then there is the Shane Smeltz dilemma. Will Arnold want to apportion so much of the salary cap to a 33-year-old substitute? Will Smeltz be satisfied with such a role at the tail end of his career?
One thing is for certain. While Arnold will be pleased his dressing room revolution saw Sydney FC head into their first decider in five years, he will be livid that they went seven games without a win mid-season, and fell in a heap in the biggest game of the campaign.
Expect Arnold to make some ruthless decisions soon, before bringing in some steel.
For the Victory, Nathan Coe and Jesse Makarounas are likely to depart abroad, while Daniel Georgievski is reportedly set to follow them.
Danny Vukovic would appear the most natural replacement for Coe, and would fight Lawrence Thomas – who is also coming off contract – for the number one jersey.
Archie Thompson is the real conundrum for Muscat. Will he re-sign the fan favourite, or use those valuable dollars to bring in someone fresh?
While content in the knowledge that the majority of his squad will be sticking around, Muscat’s biggest off-season challenge is to handle the futures of Thompson and Georgievski.
If they depart, hopefully amicably, they will need to be replaced by better players. The bullseye is now painted on the Victory’s back, and they will need to improve again next season.
Another motivating factor for the club will be their relatively poor record in Asia. From four forays in the continent’s premier club competition, the Victory have never made it out of the group stage, and have won just seven of their 25 games to date.
It would not surprise to see Muscat therefore bring in recruits with proven experience across Asia to replace his few departing players.
There is plenty of work ahead of the Victory and Sydney as the A-League heads into the off-season, but with savvy bosses such as Muscat and Arnold at the helm, it’s hard to see them getting it wrong. For all other clubs, the chase is on.
Boban Fett
Guest
He did play overseas, in Russia. I doubt he'd go back there though.
Realfootball
Guest
So Kane, if you are still in touch with this thread, Sydney have let Janko go. Their decision, not his.
cm
Guest
Update to this is that kalac's new role will be vastly expanded, basically head keeping coach for every gk connected to the club, juniors, women, the lot. He'll have his assistant from Sydney fc come over. Corry will remain at the club in some capacity as well.
Realfootball
Guest
Exactly.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Apologies, lazy writing. He isn't a visa player - what I meant to say is that there is a visa slot to replace him as BB won't need it (two passports now). A global search for a DG replacement will return greater quality-per-dollar than a local one. We did this once before with Grant Brebner after he received his citizenship. The only difference here is that Breb's wasn't the marquee that BB is. I can't remember if the FFA force a foreign marque to rely on his passport of birth for this status and link it to the visa player limit of 5.
cm
Guest
You mean, so they can be avoided?
Realfootball
Guest
Access to racing tips.
Realfootball
Guest
Tony Abbot rules.
Realfootball
Guest
Thanks Fadida. That is exactly my point.
The Bear no more
Guest
This thinking weakens your position, IMO, Lionheart. Players will go to the money, happiness and stability. Brisbane could not always keep everyone happy post AP on both of these counts. What I would say is when you attract players because of money _between_ HAL clubs (furtherso with possible cap scrapping) you get a mercenaries culture and drive the price upwards. Then you eventually get a distancing of supporters and players with an atmosphere of cyncism brewing. That's where some Victory supporters want to take the HAL.
The Bear no more
Guest
I would take Besart stating at Roar, part of the well oiled machine and hAL tried and tested than your johnny come lately, one year contract SFC like, super star striker any day. And we'd still finish above you .. Again.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Personally I think they should be separate and distance themselves from the knights as much as possible. The only common theme between the two clubs should be the shared ground, everything else is irrelevant. Let the football community of Newcastle decide whats best. With some luck they might even decide to going back to their original colours when they won the championship, GOLD.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
I think you mean MV poached kosta from panathinaikos.. i always find myself wondering, what if Brisbane didn't poach kosta from Phoenix..and broich from FC Nurnberg..and berisha from Arminia Bielefeld..and henrique from formiga..
Bondy
Guest
Batou I think they should keep the blue and red colours they're identical to the knights really, it gives a community sense that they're all the same all one , I believe ...
Lionheart
Guest
And Kosta. What would MV do if they couldn't poach players?
Batou
Guest
He says 'new club' a few times in there while also saying nothing will change. I guess the idea is to create a break from the Tinkler era in the minds of the fans to try and hold onto them. I hope they go back to gold jerseys and keep the jets name. Then they just need to bring back Rodriguez and Carle and they could really be onto something!
langou
Roar Guru
Barbarouses is a terrific player Timmuh. I have no doubt he would attract interest from a variety of clubs in Australia and overseas. He is still quite young as well. I think he did go to Europe for a few years after leaving the Roar.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Christo, the NFL, AFL & NRL are mono culture sports, well the NRL it's dual, there is actually two professional Rugby League competitions, but the other 2, there is only 1 Australian Rules Football competition in the world & likewise with the American football. So I don't think you can compare.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
It seems he is under contract, and I know little of this sport, but every time I see the Victory play I am impressed by Barbarouses. Would there be serious interest in him from overseas?
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
If a knight is any good he should be able to wear budgie smugglers and still get the job done.