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For any aspiring Australian football coach it is a dream to work in the A League, as there are only 12 head coaching positions available and approximately 30 assistant coaching positions.
While household NPL coaches like Mark Crittenden, Ben Cahn & Paul Pezos are forever linked to the professional level, they continually miss out on making the step up – no matter the success they have in NPL competitions. That is why it was a refreshing change in 2020, when Brisbane Roar took a chance on Warren Moon – who was lauded for his work in youth development at NPL level.
Across a decent period, Brisbane has in my opinion, been run negligently by its owners, the Bakries group – who have treated the club almost like a tax write-off.
(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But even with all the behind the scene issues that the embattled club had been experiencing, hiring a coach like Moon to oversee one of the A-Leagues’ best clubs at producing talented youth, seemed like a perfect match
However, after two and a half seasons of mediocracy, Moon was finally relieved of his duties – in a hastily worded press release earlier in the week.
It wasn’t a shock to see Moon become the A-Leagues’ first coaching casualty this season, he was incredibly lucky to retain his position after narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon in season 21/22. 28 victories in 83 matches for a winning percentage of just over 33% would be enough to sack any coach, even the besieged Brisbane Roar.
Moon’s time will be highlighted by a heavy emphasis on a resolute defensive structure at the detriment of attacking output, formations that did not get the best out of a very talented squad, poor Visa signings and much disharmony in the dressing room.
The playing group will rightly take some share of the blame, but there are several extremely talented individuals who would start at many other A-League clubs.
For suffering fans of the Roar, the question on everyone’s lips was – who takes charge next?
We now have the answer. Nick Green is well known in Queensland football circles for taking Brisbane City FC to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The coach had only been in charge of a few matches before the pandemic hit, and then was terminated a few months later via email. The tribunal ruled in his favour, awarding Green the remaining $15,000 of his contract. In the past few years, Green has been concentrating on his role as director and head coach with the Pro-Player Football program while attaining his UEFA A Licence & UEFA Youth coach badges.
Interim Head Coach Nick Green talks us through his plans to making a positive impact on the squad for the remaining 9 games of the season.
Full interview ???? https://t.co/9GADJ0XYmj pic.twitter.com/bU7oyvXJDS
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) February 21, 2023
Green has coaching experience in England with Lincoln City & Hartlepool United – taking charge of both clubs Under 18’s all the way through to the Under 23’s.
Brisbane may be second to bottom and currently seven points off qualifying for the finals – but with nine games left to play, they mathematically still have a chance. In recent away matches against Adelaide and Sydney the side looked semi-functional going forward, the new coach must try to find the right formation to get the best out of the many attacking weapons available to him.
When the campaign wraps up, the Roar will be posed with another problem – what to do with several players coming off contract? Yet another off-season of upheaval will be expected for the dwindling fanbase, which seems to have deserted the club in a critical time when support is needed.
Green has the unenviable task of trying to restore a former A-League powerhouse to an acceptable level.
With all the background noise continuing at the club, the lion on the club’s badge should be roaring loudly – instead it’s still like a newborn cub whimpering under the Bakeries reign.
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