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In a move that has bemused many supporters of the besieged Brisbane Roar, a ghost from its fractured past, has returned to the club as full-time coach for the next 2 seasons – Ross Aloisi.
Aloisi was the assistant to his brother John and then Darren Davies for 4 tumultuous years at Brisbane – where his passionate and volatile side both mixed on and off the field.
In 2016 Aloisi threatened to meet a 20-year-old player in the change rooms after a preseason friendly match that turned fiery with Aloisi being heard berating opposition players and officials – all within earshot of the board of Football Queensland at the time.
There was the memorable altercation with Melbourne City coach John Van Schipp and the side’s star player Tim Cahill – that had tongues wagging around the A-League.
It’s also hard to forget Brisbane’s controversial loss to Adelaide in 2017, Where Ross followed his opposite number Jacob Ramallo down the tunnel and assaulted the United assistant – leaving Ramallo crumpled on the floor and being banned for four matches.
Ross is a very passionate man and other coaches like Marko Rudan and Carl Veart, who share similar traits and have channelled that passion into success.
I have seen Ross’s passion first hand, when he returned home as the assistant coach for Adelaide in 2020.
Whilst at Brisbane, Ross and his brother John jettisoned a whole generation of talented Roar youth that supporters of the team have never forgiven the duo over.
However, at Adelaide it was a complete opposite – as Ross was extremely nurturing of the younger players and was constantly providing advice and guidance.
Ross was in charge of Adelaide’s defensive shape during his two years at the club and has never received the recognition for the clubs 21/22 season – where the side had one of the meanest defences in the league, conceding only 31 goals.
After leaving United, his next destination was the J League, where he became the assistant to Kevin Muscat at Yokohama F Marinos – who won the title on the back of a very solid defence.
Supporters of the Roar were hoping for a local to be given the job, but the best option Ben Cahn had already moved to Victoria to take up the head coaching role of fallen giant Melbourne Knights.
One of the most interesting aspects of the search for the new Brisbane coach, was the sheer number of coaches with a South Australian connection who were interviewed – with Brisbane Roar now starting to resemble an interstate version of Adelaide United.
Leading the recruitment was Brisbane general manager Ante Kovacevic, who oversaw Adelaide United’s trophy-laden period several years ago.
There are several ex-Adelaide United players in the current playing group that Ross Aloisi is already familiar with and the club signed another South Australian recently – with Kur Kur returning to Australia after a disappointing season in Serbia.
Just like Adelaide, the Roar no longer has an academy and will need to build better relationships with QLD NPL sides – when it comes to the acquisition of talented players.
It would also come as no surprise to see Ross raid his former employers Adelaide, for several of their highly touted youth – including his son Mathias.
Fans of football in Queensland may not like the appointment of Ross Aloisi or the large South Australian influence now running through the club.
But it’s no coincidence that the Roar have been looking closely at how a similar sized club to itself in Adelaide – has been able to always remain competitive on a very tight budget.
Brisbane Roar should be capable of playing finals football next season, especially with a move back to the city – where attendance should be over five figures every home match.
Fireworks on and off the field will be expected with Ross as coach of Brisbane, he will need to work hard to win the fans’ trust back.
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