Nothing to see here – move along.
Brisbane managing director Daniel Cobb insists there is no crisis at the A-League club despite reports of a mutiny against him led by Roar coach John Aloisi and football operations manager Craig Moore.
AAP understands tensions are high between Cobb and the former Socceroo pair, who are less than impressed with his two-month reign at the club and have reportedly told the club’s Indonesian owners they will quit if Cobb isn’t removed.
Cobb, however, said there had not been a vote of no confidence in him, nor any ultimatums issued.
“There’s no problems with my relationship with John and Craig. I’m very comfortable I’ve got their full support,” Cobb told AAP.
“I met with them on Monday for three or four hours. We had a good chat about all the things I’ve been able to provide for them they hadn’t been able to get from previous owners or leadership.
“They’re really happy about that.
“There’s basically nearly $500,000 that’s gone into providing John with extra resources, facilities and equipment to help him make our first team even more successful.”
Cobb claimed Aloisi’s sole frustration was the Roar’s lack of a suitable training venue – but the Melbourne businessman said he meth the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) on Tuesday to “finalise commercial terms” over their use of Ballymore.
A QRU spokesman said ongoing negotiations with the Roar are drawing to a close, with the deal to provide them with office space, a training field and the use of a gym.
The Roar will stage their FFA Cup round-of-32 clash next week with Perth at Ballymore.
Cobb, meanwhile, revealed the Roar had signed agreements surrounding academy exchanges, player development and sport science with four European clubs he recently held talks with.
Those clubs are Germany’s Werder Bremen and 1.FC Koln, Spanish second-tier outfit Rayo Vallecano and Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal.
The Roar have also employed former professional players Marco Kueck, Carlos Dreschler and George Papadopolous, who will base themselves full time in Europe to manage the relationships with the partner clubs.
Cobb said he was unable to make regular contact with Roar staff while in Europe, which frustrated Aloisi and Moore, because he misplaced his phone on the second day of his trip.
Earlier, Aloisi said he wouldn’t be walking out on the club.
“Of course, we want stability and long-term certainty but that’s a matter for others,” he said.
“I want the Roar family to rally behind the club. That’s what is important today.”
Pablo
Guest
Fadida - Roar fans are offended by the way the club is being run because things had the potential to be so much better. It's a fickle fan base up here and the smell of misery is enough to turn many away. Under David Pourre we appeared to have a club that was engaging with its fans and there was a good vibe about the place and this we hoped would translate into increased attendances and the chance to attract more fans that one day might become rusted on. We are not in a position where bad management wont affect our supporter base unfortunately and Cobb appears to be a total shyster and will given time damage our club. Its the contrast between Pourre and Cobb and the opportunities that are being missed that hurts. Who can trust anyone who thinks "I lost my phone" is a reasonable excuse for not remaining in contact with the club he runs. Its a farce.
Bob
Guest
The FFA don't care that much what happens to Brisbane Roar, just as long as they don't have to step in. Good to see protests against Cobb at last Wednesday's FFA Cup game and a proper one planned for BRFCs cup game #CobbOff
Waz
Guest
Cobb only gets approved by the FFA when he attempts to buy the club. Before that it's all down to the owners - let's face it, he's not the first poor CEO Roar has had lol
Neil
Guest
As a Roar fan and long time member I will be honest to say I was glad to see the back of Moore and was disappointed when he was re- employed by the Roar.
MatthewSkellett
Guest
I'm shocked that umm the Bakries never looked at Cobb's recent history in hiring him -he must be a high-ranking mason or some such unknown connection for this to even get this far . I am shocked that the FFA didn't do it's own due diligence with Cobb themselves - if this all goes to mud it will have well and truly stuff all the good things that have appeared so far this year.
Waz
Guest
Lionheart, the end of one of the stories on d'aggers resigning today has a bit of interesting detail on Cobbs visit to the FFA: "Cobb, meanwhile, will meet with FFA officials in Sydney on Friday to review the Roar's marketing and promotional plans for the coming season. But given the turmoil of the last few days, it is inevitable discussions will turn to Cobb's strained relationship with Aloisi and Moore and his intentions for the club. When he arrived at the club in June, Cobb claimed to be the leader of a consortium that was ready to buy the Roar from Indonesian owners the Bakrie Group - but two months on, the sale process is yet to begin, and if anything there is more uncertainty at the club now than ever before. Supporters have grown tired of the seemingly never-ending saga surrounding Brisbane's ownership, with some Roar fans chanting for Cobb's removal during Wednesday night's FFA Cup clash between Redlands United and Adelaide at Perry Park"
Waz
Guest
The FFA don't approve CEO's only owners. Cobb will have to apply for approval to be an owner once he is ready to buy, until then he's just an employee albeit acting like an owner. He contacted the Bakries directly, will be interested to hear "why Brisbane Riar?" when he does meet fans. Summoned? Oh yes, very much so, Aloisi could have walked away this week - not a palatable situation for the FFA! :)
Lionheart
Guest
Interesting article in the Courier Mail. Summoned is not a word used by Marco, so not sure where you got it from Waz, but surely there are some decent managers/CEOs around who could dop a decent job at Roar? Cobb has a bad record, how did FFA give him the nod? or rather, who advised Bakrie on his suitability? The insight from Adelaide Chairman about Bakrie is interesting.
Waz
Guest
Well said jb. The biggest threat is carrying on as we are and not changing !
Waz
Guest
Mid the eternal optimist :) The system should have prevented this week happening not reacted to it happening, this week was predictable and damaging. I didn't read through all the replies (some were good but long) but to me there's two key points. 1. Is Brisbane has to sort itself out, there isn't the resources in the game generally to do it for the owners so they have to grow a backbone and put in good management. It's not that hard to see Roar profitable - put 5,000 on the average gate and they will be, that's eminently possible but not while the club lurches from crisis to crisis. The owner that breaks the cycle of perpetual self-abuse while maintaining on-field standards will do that. 2. The FFA need to grow some b*lls and demand better from teams like Brisbane. This needs to be done through minimum standards that, when breached, result in fines, transfer embargoes and points deductions - not paying your players super for a year is surely worth a 3 point deduction and why not a transfer embargo on new players as well until you can pay the ones you've already got? The FFA sit at the top of all this, and unless we have all the teams and the FFA pulling in the same direction at the same time we'll go nowhere. I get the impression football in Australia only starts pulling when there's a crisis so we need a big stick for clubs like Roar (fines, points deduction etc) that is used early and not, as with Roar - years after the poor behaviours start. jb gives a useful history lesson, Roar are locked into repeating history's mistakes - until that stops and governance and management of the club improves then crowds won't improve. And if crowds don't improve Roar will continue to fail commercially!
j binnie
Guest
Fadida -The answer to your question is extremely simple,no money,no team,no games to attend. You see we are talking about a relatively "new" concept to Australian football,that of the full time professional football club playing in a season that only lasts half a year so that there has to be an almost constant application to fund raising to maintain the "books" in the black. The goings on at Roar suggests this is not ,nor has been, done,hence the troubled history over the years ,not ON the field but OFF the field. Cheers jb.
j binnie
Guest
Towser - Nowhere in my thoughts or words have I denigrated the fans "turning up" for games, My problem is that unless something is done, and done quickly, there won't be a team to turn up and watch,and that my friend is my main concern. Despite the off field "goings on", over the years the football public in Brisbane has shown the desire to get behind Roar but have had very little,if any, encouragement from the "back room" and that is a recIpe for disaster in anyone's book. Let us hope there is a 'saviour" just around the corner. You have to admit there is evidence that Roar could "fold",not due to playing staff,but simply due to lack of funds and at this point in time that is a very real possibility. jb
Midfielder
Guest
Just maybe the system is working the way it should... nay that could never happen.. But it is a beautiful world... For the stress I still recovering from last night .... listening to this can be stress relieving ... nice version ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z26BvHOD_sg
Waz
Guest
Cobbs been summoned to Sydney to see Gallop, presumably to receive his first "final warning" lol: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/a-league/brisbane-roar-managing-director-daniel-cobb-seeks-to-make-peace-with-coach-john-aloisi/news-story/2fa785bed68238e1cd32c2b9f2305827
Waz
Guest
Thanks Mid, at Perry Park amongst 50 or so raucous Redlands fans. Who knew.
Fadida
Guest
All of those issues such as non payment happened at the Jets, and I can tell you that novocastrians are as proud as any. People turned on Tinkler but never turned their back on the club. Again, Jets fans have been through all that the Roar have been, and worse, while the team have finished bottom
Midfielder
Guest
Waz Good luck and enjoy the game... all is not lost ... the sun will still rise in the morning... Waz a youtube from my fair lady ... listen from 44 seconds on... has been used in some management meetings... shows essentially you can be successful and manage even if the management are bad... enjoy.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3mC4485Ue0
Waz
Guest
Can't keep up with the conversation and am heading out to Perry Park to see AU slain ..... can we all agree that the one club in QLD needs to be run better?
Waz
Guest
That kills one myth ... they said you couldn't even give tickets away that season ;)
Bob
Guest
how are you sure we are paying our bills?