Adelaide United have split with coach Josep Gombau and appointed former Barcelona legend Guillermo Amor as his successor.
Gombau had two years remaining on his A-League contract with Adelaide but has been released on compassionate grounds as he seeks a move closer to his family.
The Spaniard will take up a role with MLS club New York City FC as an academy director.
“It was a very hard decision, one that I thought about a lot and one that’s probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my life, but for family reasons I need to leave,” said Gombau.
“The last two years at the club has been such an amazing time, one I will always cherish.
“Together, as a club, we developed a brand and style of football that the people enjoy, along with a trophy for the club, and with that I am satisfied.”
Former Barcelona youth team coach Gombau’s arrival at the start of the 2013-14 season, after a stint as coach of Hong Kong side Kitchee FC, kicked off the start of a new era for Adelaide that should transition seamlessly into the next one.
Battling through an early teething period, Gombau successfully implemented a new playing style inspired by Barcelona’s possession-heavy approach.
Gombau guided Adelaide to the inaugural FFA Cup title last year – the club’s first piece of silverware since the 2005-06 Premier’s plate – but also won a place in the hearts of A-League fans with his charisma and often unguarded passion for the game.
His Spanish connections helped bring Amor to the club last year, with the 37-cap Spanish national team midfielder having served as United’s technical director since August.
Amor, who represented Barcelona more than 400 times, vowed to continue the work started by Gombau.
“Josep is a very dear friend of mine, and he, and the club, have placed their trust in me through a difficult time,” Amor said.
“This trust means a lot to me and I am very excited and very eager to get to work, but above everything I want to enjoy and succeed.
“Myself, along with the rest of the staff, will give everything to allow this team to continue its growth and I think there’s still a lot of growth that can happen.”
Gombau will continue as Adelaide coach until August 1, when Amor will officially take the reins.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Do you booo often Cochie? I have always thought it's better to be for something then against something!!!!!
conchie
Roar Rookie
You have to inhale before you Booooooo, that's when the paper plane would get stuck, quite dangerous they are.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Conchie, think about about it son, booing is an outward expression (expressing one's feeling outwards), whereas choking is an inward expression (unable to deal with it), not that difficult really. Booooooo, Booooooo, boooooooo!!!!!
conchie
Roar Rookie
Careful punter, keep booing like that you may inadvertently swallow and choke on a paper plane.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Cochie, boooo, booooo booooo!!!!!
conchie
Roar Rookie
How many paper planes can you make for 150 million ?
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Casper, he did say football, not A-League. It's all football, whether it's A-League or O/S football teams. While the O/S teams are a competitor to the A-League, it's also a competitor to the AFL. It's all football, whether it's the A-League or Man U or Messi.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@Casper 1. Internatonal Champions Cup has got nothing to do with Australian soccer. Never said it did, but the cash injections (should be around $750k/yr) for no expense & risk does help 2. The success of it will do nothing for the A League. Never said it did. But, it's very likely MVFC will be invited to participate next year. More exposure for MVFC, more money for MVFC. 3. Also, they only use the MCG three times, so it is hardly kicking them off. Good to hear the AFL industry is so very charitable.
Casper
Guest
Fussball - the Internatonal Champions Cup has got nothing to do with Australian soccer. The success of it will do nothing for the A League. Also, they only use the MCG three times, so it is hardly kicking them off.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Mddy Slowly Football keeps chipping away at the previous AFL monopoly in Melbourne. Just been announced the Government of Victoria has paid $150 million to secure the rights to the International Champions Cup for the next 3 years. This means, for the next 3 years, football will again kick AFL off the MCG during the AFL's premier competition season & football will be getting massive crowds & media attention during the A-League off-season. Full story: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/150m-deal-locks-in-icc-for-melbourne/1jfj5edhzixd6zk5yqvbhql05 They used to buy expensive French champagne at AFL HQ to celebrate AUS football's past failures. Apparently, for next 3 years they've put in big orders for Humble Pie.
Midfielder
Guest
Casper AFL will be the major code across the Southern States for the next 50 years at least .... AFL by any measure has the best crowds in the world. Show me anywhere any time I have not said this...
Casper
Guest
Midfielder - the AFL had a terrible weekend for attendances in Melbourne, yet they still got 150k to the five matches. Nothing to be too concerned about here.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
OK, now signed for the P!ssants. Only problem for them is that he's done two-fifths of nothing while OS so let's see what happens. Coming home to find form, etc, etc
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Matthews is of his generation one of the nations top ten sports thinkers [for want of a better word] I have huge respect for him.... If he says thats and issue, add Wilson's statement and something is going on at the HO, I wrote in the first year of the Roar IMO AFL made two major strategic errors in the late 90's that would one day they would see but it would be 20 years to late... The abuse I recieved at the time especially given at that time I had never watched one minute of AFL in fact only knew the names of I think 5 teams ... But I knew a lot about their management and this was in the main via a client who passed away just over a year ago. One of the mistakes I suggested was to ignore the Melbourne fans or treat them as being worth less than new fans... the other I leave for the moment ... Fuss that is a huge call by those people but it has been obvious since 1995 to me ...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The AFL fan base may be closing their eyes & pretending everything is moving well, but AFL hierarchy are not. On Offsiders this morning, AFL journo Caroline Wilson said "when it comes to soccer, everything now worries the AFL. The greatest ever AFL player & one of the most successful AFL coaches in the past 40 years admitted: in just 10 years, ALeague has made the AFL lose its monopoly in Melbourne. Full story: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-spectacle-more-critical-than-its-ever-been-due-to-threat-of-soccer-says-legend-leigh-matthews-20150725-gikgay.html#ixzz3gzUTVfHP
j binnie
Guest
Batou -My reference to the Broncos crowd was in no way intended to belittle a crowd of 27,000, for they,the Broncos,are one of the best supported clubs in the country, but what I did hint at was that because both the games,Broncos and Real Madrid were on TV at the same time,was it just coincidence that the Brisbane club,flying high at the moment and playing what is known as a "derby match", had one of their lowest crowds of the season,nothing more,nothing less. Ok? jb
conchie
Roar Rookie
OMG LOL @ your weird comments bondy, is this sort of behaviour part of the cult with fuss ?.
Batou
Guest
Jb, I'd be pretty happy if a league clubs could call a 27k crowd one of their smallest of the season
Batou
Guest
have you been drinking Bondy? Have a good think about your post mate. I don't agree with Brucie and think he's a dodgy low grade troll but there's never any need for that. Maybe think about how you would feel about it if someone said the same thing to one of your kids.
Bondy
Guest
I'll do you after him .