When something is described as toxic, the intent is to convey its effects as being frightfully painful and uncomfortable.
The word is used to describe things that are well beyond bad; not merely that slightly outdated cold cut of ham in the fridge or something with the potential to inflict minor discomfort.
These words were used describe the final days of Alen Stajcic’s Matildas reign. The results of a ‘well-being’ report were used to trigger FFA’s move to oust him from his position as national coach in January of 2019.
The murkiness surrounding the decision, those pulling the strings in the background and the questionable information presented by them, still linger.
A good man’s name was tarnished and an excellent football team forced to re-adjust just five months prior to a World Cup. Little or no clarity was ever provided around Stajcic’s sacking.
With some class, Stajcic accepted his fate silently, bar a public statement where he expressed concern over the effects the saga had taken on his family. From all who know him well, it appears that is his way and not surprising at all to those who have a close friendship with the 46-year-old.
Despite the fact that FFA Director Heather Reid made a public statement of apology to Stajcic and his family after previously claiming that if people knew the actual facts about his behaviour “they would be shocked”, the coach never received the treatment nor answers to which he was entitled.
Such comments, along with some cleverly leaked nonsense that many journalists ran with around the time of his departure, formed the basis of the loose case that FFA used to dismiss him.
No doubt forlorn, hurt and angry, Stajcic had a lifeline thrown his way within three months when the Central Coast Mariners grew tired of poor results under Mike Mulvey and appointed him for the short term.
Potentially gun shy and riddled with self-doubt after being undermined in some a comprehensive manner, Stajcic made an immediate impact in Gosford, managing a few late-season wins. The men in yellow were still to finish bottom with just three wins and four draws from 27 matches, however, something had changed.
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Roll the clock forward eight months and the man with supposed flaws in developing, modelling and maintaining a culture within a football team has already accumulated four wins from just 12 matches.
The club is off the bottom thanks to derby rivals Newcastle and currently sits two points from Melbourne Victory, who occupy the sixth spot on the ladder.
Considering a few close run things along the way and some gallant second-half performances, the points haul could be even a little better for Central Coast so far. However, most teams would say the same thing when looking back at opportunities lost over the first third of the season.
Points aside, what Stajcic has been able to achieve in well under 12 months is quite remarkable. Prior to his arrival, the squad had become rabble-like. Manager after manager had come and gone, a youthful team often looked out of its depth and imported foreigners had failed to provide leadership and influence on a consistent basis.
So what did the Mariners do? They hired a tarnished man with no A-League managerial experience who within months instilled attitude, vigour and resilience into the Mariners’ squad. Far from toxic, Central Coast look confident, bonded and happy.
Reid’s comments must surely have her choking on her Coco-Pops as she catches up on all the current A-League news; something I’m sure she does on a weekly basis.
On Sunday afternoon, the Mariners pulled off the most dramatic of wins at Central Coast Stadium against Melbourne Victory. Two late Matt Simon penalties and VAR made sure of that, but the Mariners’ fight on the pitch was the most impressive aspect for any neutrals watching the contest.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Throw aside all the frustration of Marco Kurz, the influence of technology and the luck and fortune that teeter-tottered both ways during the game and one compelling truth became clear for fans of the Central Coast Mariners.
Alen Stajcic, a man supposedly responsible for toxic team culture in a previous gig, has turned a young and oft-maligned team into one that now competes hard, playing both for each other and with belief.
Will they make the finals? Probably not. Yet writing off that possibility would be foolish at this point, considering the positive change in culture, professionalism and attitude that Alen Stajcic has brought to the Central Coast.
We shouldn’t be surprised really, the Matildas used to talk about it all the time.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Hey stu The mariners have won about 6 games from about 20 competive games since static starred . They’ve lost most of the others .. is this ok or is this just modest improvement.. he is doing ok , but no miracles . See van egmond, season 2 at the jets for miracle turnarounds Wouldn’t mind some insights to more specific A league teams, hows the access to players or coaches with the Nsw teams . Jets and McKinna would be pretty agreeable to most requests I believe.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
i would prefer this to be done in private, rather than in the public eye. I've been to training many a time this season behind closed doors and seen verbeek absolutely fly off the handles at players. I give the example of maria, absolutely berating him one minute; the next he has his arm around him and they're both laughing. Certain players respond well to this style of man management, alot dont (especially here in australia)
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
David Davutovic is reporting it.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Looks like it's true. Now Wanderers can sack Babbel and sign Kurz.
Franko
Guest
Some suggestions this morning Kurz has been sacked. Would be surprised if true. Ah the internet.
chris
Guest
No issues with that Stu. I'm just providing some balance to who AS is. The people on the receiving end of his treatment would be frustrated at reading articles like yours.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Are you sure Stu, they have Ole, Nabbout & Kruse up front, where will Rojas play & who in the midfield will feed them.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Stuart and others Interesting post from our CEO on the Mariners forum... for those that don't know the Mariners CEO is often on our forum he uses to keep us up to date ... even has his own thread where you can ask questions... below is a reply he made today in response to some posts on our squad thread.. Hi everyone1 Obviously it is a very busy period at the moment for the club with contract negotiations and discussions in the January transfer window. There are some things that are difficult for the club to comment on and officially we don't ever make comment on speculation but i did want to take this opportunity to answer some questions so I can to make sure that no-one feels the club is keeping them in the dark. That is never our intention, it is more that topics can be very fluid and quickly changing by the hour. For example if you asked me yesterday if Lewis Miller was leaving for Macarthur I would have replied there was a high likelihood, yet here we are very proud to announce his extension for the next two years. Sam Silvera is still contracted to CCM for the next two years, and the opportunity for him to train with MLS club LAFC who has a lot of very similar principles to our club, is not only a great opportunity for Sam but also for our club to form a strong relationship with. This is a very short opportunity and we can all expect Sam back soon - these type of opportunities are important to our club and sends a strong message to all aspiring young players that the Mariners are a club where you can develop and move to bigger and better things. Many of the other A-League clubs are being criticized for doing the opposite right now. We are planning an official statement over the next 24-48 hours if required. Tommy Oar has been given the opportunity to stay with CCM amid contract negotiations and talks with many other players are underway. Media speculation states that Tommy has been offered a much bigger offer at Macarthur and only Tommy and Macarthur will know the details of that. The moment something official has happened we will make a formal statement. The club is in regular contact with all players and their intermediaries (agents) and we are actively making formal offers to players to extend their contracts. Some players have already indicated to us that they want to wait until the end of the season and just focus on the season ahead whilst others are very keen to have clarity on their future now. Every player that agrees to stay or depart affects what we have available and the strategy for future players. This makes it very difficult to remain transparent to everyone on a day to day basis because a player who we might have felt we didn't have the budget for a few weeks ago now could be back in calculations as players we expected to stay decide to depart. Sorry to talk in some riddles but hopefully you can appreciate why. Fingers crossed that all the players we want to keep and recruit into the club see what huge potential we have and want to be part of something special, just like the loyalty Lewis Miller has shown us.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Rojas is just what Victory need in my view.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I'd hate to sack a worker with my basic argument being, "I've seen you in action". Your point then becomes about anyone crossing him losing favour. That is more about nepotism and not the allegations that were falsely levelled at him.
Nemesis
Guest
Well, it seems Melbourne Victory have finally lost patience with 2 of the underperforming players: Brown & Dobras have left the club by Mutual Agreement and Marco Rojas is about to sign a 3 year deal worth $1.5M.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
“Too many A-League players underperform or don’t give 90 mins of intensity and, because there are no penalties for failure, it keeps happening. I know my club has players who should’ve been shown the door ages ago”. Same at Newcastle .
chris
Guest
Come on mid thats not what I'm saying at all. Of course he cant select everyone. And of course the ones that don't get selected are going to whinge. That is not what I'm saying. Anyway - I'll leave it at that. Some people just have to see things for themselves and that's fair enough.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Thats a huge claim mate... stories I heard was many parents and partners of players not selected who believed they were better the players selected where upset with his selections and using your own worda as to the status of the women's game he had little help and little funding so that he was time challenged and short with people not selected is hardly surprising .
chris
Guest
I have seen him in action. I have coached girls who relay very similar stories to me. You have to remember that AS was all powerful in his roles in women's football in NSW. There was no W-League. There were no overseas leagues like there are now that provide girls and women a pathway. He was it. He ruled NSW women's football and if you crossed him, your chances of getting any further in the women's game was greatly diminished. This is not about a coach having favourites etc. All coaches have that. This is about abuse of that power. It caught up with him in the women's game. Good luck to him at the Mariners as, like i have stated, he deserves a second chance.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Stuart Good article.... On Staj, as a coach / manger, Coaches aside from results are judged on recruitment, who is let go, working with what you have and people management. Its in these areas I would like to comment. Requirement ... the players he has signed have been excellent in the main and in Kim & Duric both very special... as well as Gordon is doing very well... Silvera, Miller & Stenesess they have been outstanding for young boys... Fox & Gallifuoco very solid signings.... I would also add from the youth team Matthew Hatch, Robert Johnson & Dylan RUIZ-DIAZ 9skill to die for. No one he let go has not been replaced with better. Working with what you have... Rowles, DDS are in unbeliverable form & Tommy Oar is returning to his best... overall the players are united and giving and playing their best. People management... here is where its worth noting changes he made... some background at the COE next to the number two training field there is an old club house. Its wooden reasonably large with a huge deck out the front. After training Staj noticed everyone went home no one stayed around and just talked. So he started training the youth and senior squads together and then in the old club house, has numerous lounges, chairs, table etc put in. Then he added a couple of pool tables, a table tennis table, 3 computer increased to five latter on computer gaming stations. Put in some ice drink machines, put out fruit after training. The players say its bonded the team together no one after training goes home I am told they all go to their kinda private club and play games. He has impressed many as he never complains just quietly gets on with things. I rate Staj very highly on the above... equally his knowledge of technical aspects and tactics is not half bad either.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Factual deets?
chris
Guest
Like I said, everyone deserves a second chance and hopefully he has learnt how to treat people with respect and humility.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
good story for A-League and Australian football well done to Staj and the Mariners
Stuart Thomas
Expert
His team supported him, there was no concrete evidence provided to substantiate the supposed toxicity and Heather Reid made an unequivocal apology for saying the opposite, without any evidence to validate her claims.