On Wednesday evening, the Robbie Fowler revolution will be officially underway when the Brisbane Roar travel to reigning premiers Sydney FC in the round of 32 of the FFA Cup.
The tie represents the hardest possible start for Fowler and his new look charges, but what can Roar fans and the Australian footballing public expect from this rookie manager?
Fowler brings some bona-fide footballing royalty to this year’s Hyundai A-League. He scored almost 200 goals in the red of Liverpool, where he is still revered by the Anfield faithful and affectionately known as ‘God’.
However, in terms of his coaching credentials, Fowler’s record is far more modest. He only had a brief stint in charge of Thai outfit Muangthong United as player manager before hanging up his boots in 2012.
Some doubters claim this lack of experience is a major question mark over his suitability as another foreigner taking up a job that could be going to a home-grown coach. Upon his unveiling in Brisbane, this perceived lack of know-how was shot down by the man himself, pointing to his UEFA Pro License and many years coaching in Liverpool’s academy.
Fowler has been on the hunt for a management job for some time. There were applications back in England at Leeds United and Bristol Rovers without success.
Having seen his contemporaries Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard land high-profile roles after their playing days with relative ease, perhaps Fowler may hold some justified resentment – and a burning desire to prove people wrong – at having to travel over 15,000 kilometres to secure his first major coaching post.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Of course, he is no stranger to these shores, with stints at the now-defunct North Queensland Fury then Perth Glory towards the twilight of his career.
His arrival in Brisbane has already lifted the malaise that had hung over the club following last season’s miserable campaign. Expect to see a spike in attendances, which have dipped to an average of under 10,000 during the last two seasons.
In terms of playing personnel, there has been a huge overhaul with many of last season’s squad departing and 12 new arrivals. Many of these having been plucked from the lower leagues in England.
But it’s a capture from within Australia that has caught the eye. Irish striker Roy O’Donovan has joined after being a consistent scorer in his spells with Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets. Fowler will hope the 33-year-old can continue this vein of form in a Roar jersey.
New defensive recruit Tom Aldred will be tasked with the responsibility of shoring up a back line that leaked a huge 71 goals last season – the most in the competition. The 28-year-old stopper makes the move after a spell in Scotland with Motherwell.
One survivor from last season’s debacle is forward Dylan Wenzel-Halls. The youngster was a rare highlight in a season to forget, and it will be interesting to see whether the former Western Pride front man will continue to flourish under Fowler’s tutelage.
In terms of predicting the Roar’s prospects for the upcoming campaign, it’s a tough call. Fowler will be hoping that his new signings are able to gel quickly and entice those stay-away fans back.
We should expect see a lot of attacking flair on show. Goals have flowed in pre-season but defence is the key.
Fowler has brought in former Everton midfielder Tony Grant as his No.2, hoping he can shore up the defensive frailties that cost them so dearly last year.
If that happens, perhaps a top-five berth is a realistic target, but let’s not forget this move represents a huge gamble not just for the Roar, but the man himself.
Should he fail here, it would be hard to see him landing another job in the future whether that be in the UK or abroad.
But if he can bring back the glory days to Suncorp Stadium, it could be a springboard for him to move on to even bigger things.
Australian fans and the wider footballing world will be watching closely.
Waz
Roar Rookie
That was a GREAT start :)
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Fowler's Roars got 2:0 win over the defending champ Sydney FC an hour ago.
jbinnie
Guest
Nick- From your statement it is to be hoped that Fowler doesn't take his team into the top three during the season,for last year's miserable lot managed to attract 4 x plus 10,000 crowds to their matches and one would have thought that those figures could only be improved this season under the new management and team. The move to Dolphin stadium is no more than a ruse created by those who allocate dates to Suncorp, or even worse,refuse pointblank to examine the innovations from elsewhere that create atmosphere in stadia built to "house"large events but do nothing to stop average size crowds getting " lost" in their vast expanses. Cheers jb.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Most signings have been in or close to the age bracket 25-29, ages we were short on the last two seasons. And yeah, what JA was up to - let’s just move on ...
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
yes, but it was more so they pinned hopes on Aloisi. Mind you, we shouldn't be too harsh on JA as he did a lot of good, enduring things for Roar (in the conversation about ground and academy development, and the relationship with owners, finances).
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
add Jay O'Shea to the Irish list, Roar this year
Waz
Roar Rookie
I think you’re right Mid. When I first heard his name linked to the job I presumed it was more publicity than actual fact; but he certainly wants to be taken seriously as a coach and it won’t be a bad thing for the A-League if it’s seen as a good breaking ground for young coaches.
Richv
Roar Rookie
Those coaching qualifications he has don't come easy. So i'm sure he knows what he's doing. From the outside it so far looks like he has a good pre-season plan. Its when plans go astray. Injuries, run of bad results. Unlucky VAR decisions. It's how he reacts under the pressure that will be telling.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Roar's decline coincided with their pinning hopes on an ageing squad. I don't know the ages of Robbie's recruits however the ideal mix in any team sport includes both experience & youth.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Amen to that. I can live with injuries but when you sign several players knowing they’re injured it’s pretty messed up.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
It is strange, the internal bickering that occurs at times in Australia among fans of different leagues. There were quite a few LFC shirts at the trial game v Redlands a few weeks ago, so you'd be right I'd say. Let's hope they become Roar fans too. Jamie Young played in the lower leagues in England prior to joining Roar, and he's one of the best goal keepers in the A League. He won the Golden Gloves two seasons ago.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Denmark = 8 Croatia = 7 Uruguay = 5 Belgium, France, Poland, Senegal, Slovenia and Switzerland = 4 each United States, Malta, Ivory Coast, Hungary and Curaçao = 3 each
Nick Symonds
Guest
FROM WIKIPEDIA (+ Northern Ireland): Sean Devine – New Zealand Knights – 2005–07 Damien Duff – Melbourne City – 2014–15 Steven Gray – Melbourne Heart – 2012–13 Andy Keogh – Perth Glory – 2014–19 Stephen Mallon – Central Coast Mariners – 2019 Billy Mehmet – Perth Glory – 2011–13 Liam Miller – Perth Glory – 2011–13, Brisbane Roar – 2013–14, Melbourne City – 2014 Roy O'Donovan – Central Coast Mariners – 2015–17, Newcastle Jets – 2017–19 Wayne O'Sullivan – Central Coast Mariners – 2005–07 Cillian Sheridan – Wellington Phoenix – 2019 Shaun Timmins – Wellington Phoenix – 2014 Aaron Hughes – Melbourne City – 2015–16 Terry McFlynn – Sydney FC – 2005–14 Jonny Steele – Newcastle Jets – 2014 PLAYERS FROM THE BRITISH ISLES: England = 34 Scotland = 15 Ireland + N.I. = 14 Wales = 1 OTHER NOTABLE CONTINGENTS: Brazil = 38 Netherlands = 30 Spain = 28 Argentina = 14 Germany = 13 Serbia = 12 Japan = 11 South Korea = 11 Italy = 8 China = 8 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_A-League_players
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
seems he signed fit players Waz, putting him several steps ahead of previous incumbents
Waz
Roar Rookie
Man City are taking over the world one club at a time. LFC appear intent on doing the same thing one coach at a time. LFC Academy have been (and still are) developing young coaches to go out in to the world and no doubt, spread the scouse gospel lol.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Dare I suggest that his mere presence may even attract some extra fans that are often referred to in derogatory terms on this and other sites? Also, whilst I constantly read about technical deficiencies in the EFL - the league produces some exciting and pretty tough football. I watched a few games at the weekend and will watch a replay of the Bristol City v Leeds game later. All I can say is that if A League games are anything like the Luton v Borough game there will be plenty of thrills and spills (goalkeeping howlers and heroics) and much to talk about post match.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Waz I look at his appointment very differently to most in that he wants a career in coaching my guess he wants one day to go back to Liverpool and be on the short list to be their coach… He needs this to work so he can move on with his career and IMO he will be your coach for maybe 3 years and by thing he will have proved he has what it takes… Similar in many ways to Arnold when he went to the Mariners …. Arnold had to prove he was good enough…
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
The good thing about Robbie is that he's in this for love of the game, (and his own desire to succeed I guess). He is certainly being watched in the UK - speaking with a UK based LFC fan overnight and they'd read about Wednesday's match with Sydney in UK media.
Franko
Guest
LFC Academy behind all this??? What does that mean???
Waz
Roar Rookie
I think you’re right. By all accounts he’s winning support inside the club with his approach to coaching. I just hope he stays for a few years and isn’t gone this time next year, his celebrity means that even modest success will be over inflated attracting new suitors