As Adelaide United completed a critical victory against Alen Stajcic’s well drilled Central Coast Mariners side, outgoing head coach Marco Kurz must surely have taken a moment to wonder what more the club’s bosses could want from his side.
The tense win which was earned through a fine first-half volley from Isaías all but secures their spot within the A-League’s top six, which in combination with the 2018 FFA Cup title, surely makes for an impressive sophomore season for the coach.
The performance on Sunday was attritional, with Central Coast’s profligacy costing them the chance of building on the previous week’s impressive victory over the Newcastle Jets.
There are whispers that this style of play, in combination with an apparent lack of interest in playing young players, has played a part in the decision remove the coach.
However these arguments, if true, ring hollow.
Kurz has achieved great success with a middling squad, which apart from winger Craig Goodwin and club legend Isaías, lacks established top-tier talent.
(AAP Image/David Mariuz)
In addition, injuries have robbed him of the services of well credentialed import Baba Diawara and returning Socceroo Ben Halloran.
Under these conditions, Kurz’s achievements have been phenomenal.
Perhaps due to these injuries, Kurz has provided substantial playing time to the likes of George Blackwood and Ryan Strain, with striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos the only young player with legitimate claims to increased first-team minutes.
More likely is that the club’s owners – of whom chairman Piet van der Pol is the public face – wish to install a coach of their choosing, a decision which is well within their rights but one which should not escape scrutiny.
It should, for instance, not be forgotten that when Kurz took charge of the club they had found themselves languishing in ninth place in the previous season.
Kurz himself will surely land on his feet, and with potential openings in the A-League in addition to his overseas contacts, it is unlikely that he will find himself out of a job for long.
Therefore, it feels that the fans – the vast majority of whom have an affinity for the outgoing Kurz – are the real losers in this scenario and must surely be asking themselves whether the destabilising influence of a new manager will really lead to improved on-field success.
Such a scenario can go one of two ways.
The owners may support their new manager with significant financial investment, enabling the club to join the upper echelon of A-League clubs, a situation which may leave the door open for a potential title run.
If this is what plays out, then fans will of course soon change their tune and the decision to remove Kurz will be justified.
If, however, the new manager struggles – or if he does not receive financial support – the Adelaide United faithful will be well within their rights to look back fondly on days like today and wonder why their dugout is no longer filled by the talented German.
Cheers
Roar Rookie
The club has certainly developed some quality youth products and I am sure there will be more to come, however it should be the coach’s decision as to when he wishes to introduce them. Given the largely positive results I would argue that Kurz had proven himself capable of picking his own side, yes it is always great to see young talent, but the number one priority should be winning and up until lately, his side has been doing this. Not Kurz’s fault that Diawara has been injured, who knows what he would have been capable of if fit, Thomassen hasn’t been great but I am unsure how much say Kurz had in his signing and either way asking a young player to lead the line is a tough ask. I thought that Blackwood has shown flashes in a deeper role and besides, he wasn’t setting the world on fire up top. Time will tell whether a new manager can do better, but I personally believe that Kurz was building something positive at the club and should have been given another season to demonstrate progress. That said, I certainly won’t be complaining if the new manager plays a group of youngsters and the club finds itself up the top of the league next season!
Cheers
Roar Rookie
To be fair it’s a results game and Kurz clearly believes that the experienced players are the best equipped for achieving this. On the whole, despite the recent run of poor form I would say that he has been justified, as a finals place is a positive, especially if you consider the FFA Cup triumph. In regards to Pacifique Niyongabire, he has been signed to a reasonably lengthy contract which shows the club’s faith in him, but to lead the line for a club like Adelaide is not an easy task. Could he have been given minutes, likely in in a wide position? Sure, but he’s a developing prospect who will (hopefully) get his chance in the future. Adelaide are in a decent position and are a chance of winning matches in the finals. All things considered, particularly with the injuries to Diawara and Halloran, I think that Kurz has done a good job.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Personally I don't think Kurz has given the youngsters enough game time; such as Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (brace in FFA Cup match against Mariners), Carlo Armiento (set up a winner and is dangerous off the bench), Pacifique Niyongabire (good form in NSL), Louis D'Arigo (young talent), Nathan Konstandopoulous (Adelaide's best young player last season). Lia is very old, Diawara and Thomassen delivered naught. Ilso wasn't flash. Goals dried up from Goodwin and Kurz played a promising Blackwood out of position. Elsey wasn't at his best this season, he got injured and Regan left. Why didn't Kurz bring in a centre half from Adelaide's Youth Academy? No wonder why Adelaide fans are frustrated and want change.
Franko
Guest
Pacifique Niyongabire has scored 5 goals in 5 games in this years NPLSA for Adelaide United Youth. He scored 10 in 14 games last year. How many minutes of A-League has Kurz handed him? After Reagan left, which youngster stepped in to his place in CB? Carlo Armiento came off the bench in his first game and set up a winner, barely seen since. But hey, Vince Lia got a good run.