Macarthur are in turmoil if all the rumblings on social media are true.
The Campbelltown-based club lost captain Adam Federici (retired) and assistant coach Mark Milligan (resigned) in the past week.
Word has it the club management have lost the staff and players. With the season so close, this isn’t ideal for a club who made finals last season.
The Bulls had a number of staff movements prior to their inaugural season with Archie Fraser, Rabieh Krayem, Ken Stead and Mal Impomato all departing before the season started. It didn’t impede them on the field but this year, it’s players and coaches who are leaving which is a major problem.
The Bulls lost a number of their stars from last year, including Ivan Franjic and Loic Puyo. Federici’s departure will be felt more than most with the gloveman responsible for a number of match-saving performances.
With more players potentially leaving considering the dressing room discontent, one wonders how strong the squad will be in the all-important second season.
Pre-season form isn’t anything to write about, with the A-League’s newest side losing 5-0 to Sydney FC and 3-1 to a young Central Coast team.
There have also been strong rumours the club has a plethora of unvaccinated staff and players, which may be a problem if the APL decide they will require everyone to be double vaccinated.
The Bulls have done little to invigorate the league in their short history.
They averaged 3,500 fans in their first season, well below expectations, albeit in a COVID-impacted season.
The Bulls alienated fans with expensive memberships, in particular for the active fans, with ‘The Bullpen’ disbanding before the season started, only for the club to start their own active group.
If Macarthur were to leave the competition, it leaves the door open for a Canberra or Wollongong team to come into the A-League. Canberra have long been touted as a club that could complete a truly national competition. There is already an A-League Women’s team in the competition and having a men’s team would be appropriate.
Wollongong have historical significance with the dual NSL champions already having an established supporter base and a fantastic home ground.
One thing is for sure, the Bulls will need to shape up quickly or they will end up like another Gold Coast or North Queensland.
Peter
Guest
MacArthur are a shareholder in the APL are they not? Doubt they are going anywhere.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Lost to the Phillipines women team.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
If you read the articles Fedirici is retiring because of an injury. If the reason the management had lost the staff and players is trying to get them vaxxed then they need to sack them all as soon as posssible. They have too many center backs and trying to play them across the park. This idea that a team should be dumped because of anti vaxers opposed to the management is unbelievable. Just sack all the anti vaxers and mark them never to be hired in the A-league again. The idea of Canberra and Wollongong with no financial backers is the sort of idea that a fool would propose. If Canberra get Qatar on board to back them ok, but otherwise these proposals are by people with no idea about money. Sydney real estate is off the charts which is the source of money for the bulls.
Franko
Guest
The coach refusing to Vax is the rumour.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
I reackon staj.
Tigertown
Guest
The A-League would have a number of rules in place to protect Macarthur, & Western United for that matter. Channel 10 would also be aware of the Bull’s embarrassing predicament. Many fingers are now being pointed at Ante Milicic. If he is removed, will Mark Rudan be enlisted?