Western Sydney boss Carl Robinson has been sacked as coach of the Wanderers just seven games into the A-League Men season.
Robinson’s last match in charge of the Wanderers was their dismal 3-0 loss to the Brisbane Roar on Saturday night and his tenure finished with a win rate of just 30 per cent from 33 games.
The Wanderers are one spot off bottom place on the ALM table and have just one win in 2021-22 – a fortuitous 2-0 victory over the Wellington Phoenix.
Robinson, who left Newcastle to oversee a rebuild of the Wanderers in October 2020, has been unable to improve the club’s fortunes despite being given the support of the club’s hierarchy and autonomy over hiring and firing.
The Welshman was backed in the transfer market and brought in Israel international Tomer Hemed, Rhys Williams and former Premier League midfielder Jack Rodwell to the club.
But even with free rein over the football department and a team glittering with talent, the 45-year-old has struggled to effectively implement a succinct and coherent game plan.
That was best exhibited when his side was dumped out of the FFA Cup by part-timers APIA Leichhardt in December.
In a brief statement, the club said: “The Wanderers would like to thank Carl for his time at the club over the last one-and-half seasons and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
“The club will shortly make an announcement regarding the head coach position for the rest of the season.”
The appointment of Robinson’s long-term replacement will be a crucial one for the direction of the Wanderers amid a backdrop of falling attendances and a supporter base tinged with apathy.
Not since Tony Popovic left the club in 2017 have they made the finals and those successive failures hint at ingrained issues for the Wanderers which were alluded to in December last year after Robinson’s side suffered 2-0 loss to the Central Coast. .
The club’s former A-League Women coach Dean Heffernan claimed owner Paul Lederer was oblivious to the “toxic environment” festering under the stewardship of chief executive John Tsatsimas.
The most likely replacement – in the short team at least – will be Gary van Egmond, who was appointed as Robinson’s assistant coach prior to Christmas.
Van Egmond is likely to take charge of Wednesday’s home game with Perth.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
he will do a good job at wanderers, if the players buy into his philosophy. the football wont be good to watch, but his style has always been effective (akin to popovich, but with a lot more tactical fouling) best squad in the league on paper by a long long long way in terms of depth. I dont think there will be much movement in the next 24 hours before the windows closes, but he has an amazing squad there to work with. i fully expect them to take maximum points off perth next match.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I don't disagree. The Wanderers have great potential - to do well on the field and to bring in many spectators to the A League. The last coach that seemed to be making an impact was Jean Paul deMarigney. He had that same gruff, do what I say persona that appeared to be getting results. I really hope Rudan gets them playing well because a successful Wanderers makes our code better. I'll definitely be at Combank Stadium when they play Sydney.
Franko
Guest
I think this is actually a good fit. He's nuts, but he's a Westie and he knows football.
pete4
Roar Rookie
Too be fair he did look impressive at Newcastle for I think the 10 matches he was there At WSW he could never make it work for unknown reasons. Has the players but never got the balance right
Simmo
Roar Rookie
Robinson is just the symptom of the disease afflicting WSW, not the disease itself. The disease is the talentless people running the club.
Grem
Roar Rookie
The joke got it. Rudan for the rest of this season.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Rudan is a joke, an old player can be five meters from the ball and he shouts at the young player to run from the other side of the field to get them. Corica shouts at the old players as well Bobo, but he doesn't hesitate to start them anyway. I would go for De Vanna as coach for my money, the problem is the Socceroos club in Australia, you need an outcast, someone with a big ego, intensity. mean streak a capacity to criticise fellow players, doesn't take any prisoners.
Franko
Guest
Completely agree with this. Even more recently, what have they achieved by waiting weeks and months to sack what was effectively a dead man.
josh
Guest
I'd like an admission from the players that they lost against Brisbane on purpose to force this sacking.
Grem
Roar Rookie
The A League needs all teams to be strong and doing well. The Wanderers, when successful, add so much to our competition. There are a lot of astute bloggers on here - who should they appoint after they clean up the club? Can Gary Van Edmund be the solution they need? Will Ernie Merrick be appointed? He is available. Would Mark Rudan be the strong Popovic like character they need to resurrect their season? Will they poach Tallay or Pappas - both look astute coaches? They need someone special after years of failing.
Waz
Roar Rookie
The most shocking thing is numerous pundits called this at the time of his appointment - professional football people, sports writers & even amateur posters on the internet predicted how it would go, and how it would end. Why couldn’t wanderers see this - did they even bother doing reference checks??
NoMates
Roar Rookie
He had it coming, but to be fair his players would just switch off and stay off most of the match. You can only lead a horse to water.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
'They're only getting started'
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Wow, a club that abandoned Robinson, and not the other way around!