Milos Ninkovic is recognised as being one of the best ever imports to grace the A-League.
The midfielder arrived in the Harbour City In 2015 at 30 years of age and has won the game’s biggest trophies as well as multiple individual awards.
For opposition fans it has been extremely difficult to dislike Ninkovic, given the showman that he is. He always seems to have time on the ball while in possession. On the odd occasion there wasn’t time, he was able to pirouette past multiple players and play deftly weighted passes.
He also offered a goal threat and was crafty in and around the box when it came to shooting or creating opportunities.
Away from the pitch, the softly spoken playmaker was happy to pose for photos, sign autographs and have a chat with fans while doing regular things like shopping – his work with Sydney’s local Serbian community is held in high regard as well.
In the last couple of seasons, Ninkovic’s powers have been on the wane. Although never the quickest, he has looked noticeably slower.
Ninkovic looked set to leave the Sky Blues less than a year ago, with a huge offer from Macarthur on the table, only to remain. However, the league’s greatest player will be on the hunt for a new club for the coming season.
Yet as Sydney FC embarks on their biggest rebuild, following a disastrous season that included missing the finals, fans have been left confused with this break-up.
Ninkovic took to Instagram to post a video thanking the fans for all their support over the years and announce he would be leaving the club.
This video was deleted shortly after and Sydney FC sent out a media statement advising they were still in negotiations to keep the attacking maestro.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The club has since followed up with a release advising fans of the inevitable departure.
The handling of this favourite son will leave a sour taste in fans’ mouths – especially as the club is struggling to land recruitment targets.
There is strong interest from Macarthur as well as the Wanderers and it looks likely Milos will remain in NSW to finish his career.
Ninkovic will be 38 during the 2022-23 campaign, but he can still have a positive influence on his new club – in particular the younger players, who will get to train with a player who has exceptional technical skills.
While some Sydney fans will blame the club for its poor handling of the situation, others will point the finger at Ninkovic and in particular his agents.
It will be a roller coaster of emotions that will range from denial, anger, depression and finally acceptance.
Once the dust has settled, fans will reminisce about the good old days.
There can be no hard feelings towards a fantastic servant on and off the pitch. However seeing ‘Ninko’ in a different shirt next season will open wounds from the bitter breakup
josh
Guest
If one of those high schools is in Western Sydney then you made the wrong decision.
Grem
Roar Rookie
He would look good in sky blue and would be a great signing if he remains injury free, but he won't get the turnstiles clicking a huge amount.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
they have been offered the player. howwwwwwwwwwever this might make some sydney fans happy (after the poor start to recruitment this off season) I am of the understanding that sydney have reached out to tom rogic to come home as a marquee player on a seven figure deal - would be quite the coup if they call pull that off. very informal chat (nowhere near negotiation's yet) victory and wanderers are also both very keen if he does come back home, it wont be cheap - he was on around $15-20K pounds in scotland
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Already had respect for you educated comments, but my level of respect for you Buddy just went up dramatically. Good man!!!
Buddy
Roar Rookie
If we end up moving to Newie, I’ll be right behind them. On our house we do pretty much anyway. My favourite hoodie is a Jets one bought on grand final night when we came up to watch that wonderful use of VAR and we were sitting pretty much behind Mr Muscat - a lesson in how not to conduct yourself in public. Have a family member who flies them too and was based at Williamtown for a few years so the pull is quite strong!
David
Guest
Sydney fc are running on old leg's Trent buhager is also leaving signed with the Jets
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
ahahahahahaahh, good call, love your sense of humour. That's why I support the Jets
Grem
Roar Rookie
Rumour of Roswell to Sydney? Does Secret Scout know anything about it? I rate him as a player, but he could break down at any moment.
Terri stone
Guest
Sydney FC have an academy as part of High school . Trials are held for students going into year 7 and it’s a 5 day a week training & playing schedule . They assist with tutoring & kids must retain good grades. 4 High schools in NSW have the program & they do have a goal keeper specific session for those in that position & they bring in a coach specifically to run that session Really excited that my son got selected 2 weeks ago,.???? :happy:
Buddy
Roar Rookie
You should be part of management at WSW. That’s exactly what they seem to do each season - and they get it wrong anyway.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
agree with the use of the 10 big ones.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Would it not work, if the Academy was one where kids who display genuine talent are inducted, and via the process the academy applies, a young player's strengths and weaknesses are explored and then the student is trained to his/her strengths but also to cover other positions.?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I mean Talay and Montgomery are really proving themselves. Couple that with a disastrous recruitment campaign so far, where the optics suggest Sydney are not that popular at the moment and maybe the storm clouds are gathering. Another to throw in the mix is Mr York at Macarthur. He’s not going to rock up here to be potentially embarrassed, the man has been bred and trained to be a complete professional. I reckon he’s done his homework and learned from the very best.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I have a fiver says he wont last the two years. He just doesnt compare to the other managers around the league. Personal opinion is that he's gotten this far on appearance, but I believe now that the calibre of Gaffer has gone up a notch or two, e.g. Kisnorbo, Popa, Aloisi etc, that he doesnt have the substance to compete. And that opinion is based purely on what outcomes I have observered from different managers in different situations.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
it definitely would taint his legacy, if he moved to a direct rival loyalty may be gone out of the window for players, but i think loyalty is still incredibly important to fans. i dont think anyone would begrudge him leaving for money if it was to one of the smaller a league clubs or back to serbia - but if he signs for wanderers or victory, that is going to be fireworks plenty of big name players have moved to a rival clubs and while financially rewarding at the time, came to regret it when there career was over (flores going to victory and carrusca going to city/wanderers spring to mind) it hasnt been handled well by either party, especially Sydney - how they worded both press releases is telling, of how that situation actually went down.
At work
Roar Rookie
I think Ninko has been our best ever player, but in my eyes Brosque and McFlynn are the true legends of the club. With Grant to be elevated to that status in the coming years, Players that fight for the team and aren't above the team, not necessarily the best or most skillful (especially when reminiscing about McFlynn :laughing: )
At work
Roar Rookie
We could only dream.... But Corica got a another 2 years out of us somehow :crying:
At work
Roar Rookie
I think Penha's contract was bought out by the Asian club though ($500k fee?), so not much room for Sydney to move in that regard. Very disappointing though
At work
Roar Rookie
Yeah I think Wilko should've been forced into retirement, what's going on with Corica, can't he manage these players... We need serious work at the back because we're a shadow of former selves at the back four
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
4 years ago Coricas hadn't started his first season, 3 years ago Corica won his first GF, it was 1 year ago the City Sydney gf where apparently Corica is not allowed to complain about a player sent off and a dodgy penalty. Lets get back to Ange and your claims he took over a no names team , when he took over a squad with a rather famous Socceroos captain and ex Rangers teammates. The difference between Corica and is Ange got rid of his old players, though even in this case you can accuse Ange of having his own old favourites in Cahill and Bresciano he kept on in the Socceroos. Ange at clubs though seem quite ruthless, he dumped Degenek as not good enough for his J-league team despite selecting him for the Socceroos. Now he has given Tom Rogic the flick at 29. Corica is an old sop in comparison, he didnt get rid of Ninlovic he was outbid, and retains the geriatric Wilkinson.