Over the years, the A-League has been blessed with some weird and wonderful overseas managers.
Who can forget the wacky dress sense of František Straka when he was in charge of the now-defunct North Queensland Fury, or Josep Gombau’s verbal spat with a journalist – in relation to how bad a player the scribe’s son is.
The Macarthur Bulls will add another character who was affectionally known as “All Night” to that list, Dwight Yorke, as the side’s new manager.
It is the second time fans of the A-League in the past several weeks have been left be wielded by Yorke-related news after being announced as the head coach for the upcoming A-League All Stars match against Barcelona.
What makes these two decisions even more puzzling is the fact Yorke has yet to actually coach a professional side before.
Yorke may hold all the necessary coaching licenses, but even with his connections to Aston Villa and Manchester United, the closest he’s ever got to coaching was only in an advisory capacity In United’s youth academy.
It is concerning that with Yorke’s well-known personality and what he achieved on the field that he has not been able to find any takers across the world for his services as a coach.
Yorke was the A-League’s first-ever marquee signing 17 years ago and proved a success on the pitch, but just like at Aston Villa and Manchester United, he came with a lot of baggage off the field.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
His ‘All Night’ nickname didn’t leave him during his stint in the Harbour City.
Yorke was a regular visitor to Sydney’s night club hot spots and his dalliances with a string of high-profile Sydney models was tabloid fodder in Australia as well as the UK.
With age comes wisdom and at 50 years old, the party boy days are well and truly behind him – the infectious smile and charisma still remains though.
Yorke will take charge of a Bulls outfit that appears to be going backwards rather than forwards, in all aspects of the club.
To say season 21-22 was a disaster for Macarthur is an understatement.
The club invested a lot into the playing group this past season and they will go down in a league history as one of the most expensive squads assembled to fail miserably.
Under Ante Milicic, Macarthur were a difficult side to watch. Their slow methodical build-up play and backwards possession had fans falling asleep.
Yorke will also not have the luxury of throwing copious amounts of money around to sign players.
Although Macarthur are one of strongest financially backed teams in the comp, they have multiple players on loaded contracts who could be difficult to move on.
There are some very talented players in this squad who would benefit in a more attacking system – which should be one of the first things altered under the new regime.
The signing of Yorke may bring more eyes to the league, but it hasn’t always gone smoothly with big-name foreign coaches in Australia.
Yorke’s signing is yet another hammer blow for local Australian coaches though, who continually seem to be overlooked when professional coaching jobs become available.
It was the perfect chance for a coach like Blacktown City’s Mark Crittenden – who has a long history in developing youth and professional players – to finally get a shot at an A-League coaching job.
Yorke will have his work cut out in taking over Macarthur.
The Macarthur job is an appealing one, as it will involve implementing more youth into a side that was one of the oldest this past A-League season.
Talented youngsters Michael Ruhs and Lachlan Rose have already left the club, while the only confirmed signing, Lewis Miller, was captured by the previous coach.
The club will be expecting a finals push for season 22-23, but they could just as easily miss the top six due to Yorke’s inexperience.
Paul saffigna
Guest
Totally agree Life. Yorke did a great job with the All stars. He adds experience and game understanding to our wonderful league. Hopefully MacArthur fix their own internal stupid problems on pricing, attendances and supporter focus. I really wish Dwight good luck.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Good Morning Football Faithful, i am writing to you from Royal Brisbane Hospital, finally got Covid and let's just say the last week was a 15 round title fight. Cant wait to get back to Newy. But this is about football, so firstly, I believe a look at this particular article is in need of multi-faceted consideration. The game is on a slightly more positive footing in my opinion after the football of the last two weeks. You cannot tell me that the football played in this final series was substandard, in fact it was bloody good football. We got a glimpse of the potential if we just stick to our guns and keep building. And if you think Dwight Yorke was not watching, i think we are all sadly mistaken. This is a bloke who was face to face with Sir Alex Ferguson for the younger years of his life, seven days a week. This is a bloke who was born and bred to be a champion, from the time he got out of bed to the moment he fell back into it. Secondly, I believe that anyone who deems a position at the United Academy as not a real coaching job is again, deprived of football awareness. Think of the kids they are tasked with. Those kids are the future of the biggest football club in the world. they are the kids that will play EPL (farcical as it has become thanks to the City Group). You dont get offered a position there unless you have the football knowledge, the people skills, and the communications skills. Just read Sir Alex's book. And speaking of reading, I'm guts deep into Ange P's book for a second time, and as he repeatedly states, you have to be considered, bold, balanced and progressive in the way you build football in this country. If I am correct, if Dwight Yorke comes in and proves himself as a quality football manager, if he brings attention to the league and boosts attendance, has a step toward the bold been a bad thing? I agree that there are a host of Australian managers out there who are really becoming quality managers. We need those guys to make it to the top, but what we also need is competition amongst them, to be the best of the best, there has to be the drive to be better and better. If Yorke raises the bar with his experience and exposure to the highest levels of football, is that not a good thing for Australian Gaffers? Keep the faith and go to the game troops
Bumblebee Man
Guest
Macarthur might not have any marquee stars, but, they now have a genuine, marquee coach, who will gain plenty of media attention. :football:
Waz
Roar Rookie
His football style wasn’t akin to 80’s UK football, not even remotely close. He played a short passing game. 3-5-2 set up. Introduced the concept of the “overlapping Center Back” to the League His recruiting was okay (made a mistake with Holloway) but plsyed without a recognised striker. And it was all a bit clunky at the start of the season as players adapted to the system, but the last half of the season Roar were the form side right up to the COVID break. I tend to agree with the earlier post - we should encourage young Australian coaches not older foreign coaches, but Fowler did okay up until he spat the dummy and went home.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
see thats debatable, it all depends what you're grading a coach on. fowler did get roar into the finals, but his playing style was akin to 80's uk football - which is not the type of football that anyone wants to see played anymore. in terms of Australian players let go and Australian players that came in - most of those deals were agreed prior to fowler arriving, so cant really grade him on that his 'star power' didnt bring more fans through the gates, what was it; around 8500 on average at suncorp that season? the visa players fowler brought in were woeful - uk players have been alot more miss than hit in the a league. young players like trewin, perkins, akbari were always going to be around the squad at that point in time - regardless of who the coach was. then you have to factor in brisbanes legal fees associated with his breach of contract/termination. overall a very expensive lesson learnt, when going for a big name ex player with zero coaching experience lets see how macarthur fare with yorkie
Franko
Guest
You have to define "really well" I suppose. I'm firmly in the camp this is a development league and should be a breeding ground for sending youth overseas to become tomorrows Socceroos. From imports I like to see those of a highly technical nature (Broich, Penha, Isiais, DaVila). On those fronts, I don't think Fowler delivered. He did however get his side to top 4.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Robbie Fowler did really well. The trouble is people made up their minds before he started and refused to change based on evidence.
Tigertown
Guest
If the A-League All Stars beat Barcelona, then there will be a statue of Dwight erected at Macarthur Square.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Farce! What's next Pepper Pig coaching ALW side.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Milicic was like the coach from the Bizzaro world. There is no way on the field Yorke can be stranger than Milicic. That leaves only off the field, the worry would be Yorke would be unable to police because he indulging even more than the players. Yorke however could be the Andrew Johns off the field for Macarthur though they dont look like they have off the field issues maybe Yorke would be better at Roar, Glory, WSW where things look dodgy. Yorke we know that off the field nothing effects him, not even jet lag affected, what we dont know even if will will go off the field with the players and what effect that will have . State of Origin for NSW meant off the field binging , thats why they usually lost to Qld, with Andrew Johns though leading the bonding there was more fun and less substance consumption and the results were reversed.
Franko
Guest
Is it Robbie Fowler all over again? Or is this worse?
Grem
Roar Rookie
It will be interesting to see. From what I've read he will bring great dedication and enthusiasm to the job. If it is an inspired decision and he does well then there will be a good pool of talented youth to develop and bring into the A League. And, as someone who has a 6 game membership to the Bulls I do hope he can bring a more exciting style of play to the club. They don't have many fans and it was disappointing to see the fans that they do have not often viewing an entertaining game. Hopefully his presence and style of coaching can raise their average attendances next season.