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The A-League has thrown up many curveballs this season and as we head into finals it’s time to consider which Gaffer is the king-pin.
You could make a case for any of them, but it’s near impossible to split them, so that’s what I did.
Kenny Lowe – Perth Glory 8/10
At the end of last season Perth were in disarray.
The salary cap scandal that embroiled the club saw a mass exodus of players including high-flying Jamie Maclaren and midfielder Brandon O’Niell.
It’s fair to say that we all thought the Wild West was headed for a miserable season. Except that’s just not how Lowe operates.
He will tell you about the, “character” of his team and how they, “worked ever-so-hard”, but he won’t tell you about how he revitalised a club through exceptional recruitment in January.
Bringing in Shane Lowry and Kristian Vadócz solidified have created a team difficult to breakdown and bringing back Andy Keogh has paid dividends up front.
It’s not just his mid-season overhaul in January though.
He’s re-signed Perth’s best talent, Socceroo Josh Risdon for another two seasons. Lowe even transformed Marc Warren from what was destined to be an un-memorable A-League career, into one of the toughest wing-backs in the league.
Fair play, Kenny you’ve had your doubters along the way and you’re proving them wrong one-by-one.
John Van’t Schip – Melbourne City 7/10
This might seem tough on the Dutch manager, but a lot of what Melbourne has done has to be attributed to their attacking trio.
Mooy and Fornaroli have been two of the best players across the league this season and it is unsurprising City have done so well when you watch these guys.
Throw in Harry Novillo and you have the most potent attack of any A-League club.
Despite this, City have only improved on their overall position by one place from last season.
At times they lacks the solidity of a championship-winning team, we saw that in the last few weeks.
Nonetheless, Melbourne are in the finals and anything can happen on the day. The Melburnians will be hoping City can regroup and deliver what would be Melbourne City’s first title and Van’t Schip’s first as a manager.
John Aloisi – Brisbane Roar 8.5/10
Ironically it is the understudy of Van’t Schip that has seen apprentice become master.
Well perhaps not master, but Aloisi smashed expectations this season at Brisbane.
When first announced as the new manager it seemed like Aloisi could be blow his last chance to salvage his managerial career at a club troubled by financial burden. From bringing in his brother Ross, to helping Jamie Maclaren become a lethal striker, the gaffer has given the club the best chance of winning a title since 2013-14.
All the while having to deal with the consequences of off-field dilemmas he had no control over.
Most enjoyable is seeing how he has grown, Aloisi is calmer in his press-conferences and has an un-dying belief in his players and they reciprocate it for their boss.
The question is can Aloisi finish their incredible season with an incredible prize?
Tony Popovic – Western Sydney Wanderers 9/10
Every top manager will face adversity in their career, for Popa it was the dismal effort in the A-League last season. But like every top manager does, they redeem themselves.
This is what has made Popovic the manager of the season, he doesn’t shy away from a challenge and this season’s results prove it.
The introduction of the Spanish Armada (Alberto, Andreu and Dimas) was pivotal to the rebuild, as well as backroom changes like bringing goal-keeping coach Zelko Kalac and a new assistant to help turn the tide season. It was a huge risk and it paid off.
The Wanderers are the best team in the competition on their day and the expectation at Wanderland will be to win the title.
The only team that can stop them is themselves, on occasion the Western Sydney have not delivered when everyone expected to.
There are plenty of talented teams around them and if the Wanderers don’t deliver they will get caught out.
Guillermo Amor – Adelaide United 8/10
Some might say it is unfair not to give Amor the top accolade, take nothing away from what Amor has achieved. Indeed the Adelaide faithful will be en Amor with Amor (apologies to all Spaniards out there…).
But considering Adelaide was coming off a strong foundation laid by former manager Gombau, the squad hadn’t changed much and they finished third last season. It seems Adelaide are simply realising their full potential.
That’s not to say Amor didn’t work hard to get Adelaide to the top, but there are managers who had a much lower starting base. That is what separates Popovic from Amor.
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