Adelaide United have split with coach Josep Gombau and appointed 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 is set to start his own private youth academy in New York City.
“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.
Kasey
Guest
Rini Coolen's family travelled to Adelaide. "When your coach gets pinched by the 'mancs' in New York? that's Amor-e!" I think its reasonable to hope that under Amor the AU first XI will continue playing the same style if football that made them such a pleasure to watch in recent seasons. COYR!
marcel
Guest
Why is it that the families of football types never travel with them in the first place?
Waz
Guest
The story as presented doesn't quite stack up. It may be the real reasons are private and none of our business to be honest it's just the way it's reported that doesn't quite make sense, maybe a 7 hour flight vs 22 is all that's required but why not simply move to Spain, or Europe, where he could simply drive home?? No one apart from those at the center of this know the real reasons and neither you, jb or I have the knowledge necessary to post otherwise so your posts are just as speculative as mine or jb's. I started this particular thread by saying I didn't understand why, I still don't, I read your explanation and still ask why. But to be honest its no big deal.
SlickAs
Guest
If someone, lets say Klinsman, had family in Bali, and moved from the USA to coach in Australia in order to be close to their family it would make sense to you, no? Cheers.
j binnie
Guest
Slickas -Thank you my friend for the geography lesson and the ancillary knowledge re. jet lag etc but once again you miss the point completely. One scribe gave the reason that Gambou was leaving was so he could be closer to his family.I was simply pointing out that to be "closer to your family" I would imagine a job in Spain itself ,or even Portugal, would accomplish that wish so much better,and quicker, if that were truly the reason. As it is he still has a long flight to contend with, No??????Cheers jb
SlickAs
Guest
Mate, a 7 hour flight is a LOT different to a 22 hour flight. Not just in time, but also jet lag, etc. A flight from New York to Barcelona is about the same time as Sydney to Bali. Are you going to say Bali is not close? Then, because it is so close, there is also the time difference. 6 hours. Want to speak to your brother when he gets home from work at 6pm. Put in a call during your lunch hour. Want to watch on TV Barcelona play an afternoon fixture 4pm Barcelona time on a Saturday? 10am in New York. You can go and watch it over a coffee with a late breakfast. You underestimate how close the USA is to Europe (which is why Columbus discovered it), and how isolated from the rest of the world Australia is.
Waz
Guest
... pretty much. Just say it as it is.
j binnie
Guest
Waz - I hope you are not getting like me,a bit cynical in your older years.Gombau and the new man aside,the tripe put out by the publicists beggars description. "Leaving for personal reasons" "Wants to be nearer his family". A flight to Spain from here takes around 22 hours,a flight from New York to Spain around 7 hours. !!!!!!! Why can't they just spell out what will be nearer the truth,the man is a professional and in his eyes it would appear the grass is greener elsewhere at this point in time.. So what? Good luck to the man and thanks again for his input to our game. jb
Waz
Guest
I'm actually not sure I do understand Nic? Why has a spaniard left Adelaide for New York? Why has he left coaching a professional football team to set up a private academy? If there are personal/family issues involved it's right they remain confidential but the one thing about this story I don't get is why??
Waz
Guest
jb - it does; but my guess is the first ten years running of the A League at all levels has been spent in a whirlwind of activity, no doubt much of it useless, fighting fights on many fronts, firefighting regularly and taking two steps forward and two steps back. Perhaps the goal was to establish a beachhead and mere survival after ten years would be enough? Either way getting guys like this interconnected with the wider football community wasn't on the radar which is a shame. My main takeaway from the whole of football plan was this could now get addressed, a focus on developing more talent and converting more players to fans should involve more engagement from people like this which can only be good. As for Adelaide, they seem to have a very, very qualified coach. But not dissimilar to Aloisi at Roar, pedigree is no guarantee of coaching success. Looking at the story here I think Amur needs to choose his assistant coach carefully, it sounds like he's the quiet tactician and they often lose a squad of players, especially when things aren't gong according to plan, without a suitable "enforcer" by their side. As I said earlier, there's mileage in this for journalists with half-a-brain but they keep concentrating on regurgitating the low hanging fruit for stories :)
144
Roar Guru
Going into a champions league qualifying campaign its unfortunate that a coach of the calibur of Gombau is leaving for completely understandable reasons.
j binnie
Guest
Waz - Makes you wonder does it not? How can Adelaide attract a man like this with so much experience in running a teaching academy and yet we continue to struggle in getting that same knowledge implemented at our grassroots football.level. jb
Waz
Guest
The obvious story is the loss of Gambau, the less obvious story is the gain of Amor which looks to be intriguing in itself. Amor looks to have been a key part of the brains behind Adelaides performance last season but may lack the strength of character/personality to lead a squad of players (surely s strong No. 2 is required if this is the case?) so while we wait for some of the excellent writers to catch up on this one have a look at 442s take: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/story-behind-new-adelaide-united-coach-guillermo-amor