PART 2. Ange Purge-coglou.
Ange Postecoglou’s managerial career had stalled after his stint as coach of the Young Socceroos and that on-air argument with Craig Foster.
He had begun reviving his footballing pedigree in this country as a pundit on Fox Sports when he was sounded out by the directors to rebuild the club after the stagnation of the past year.
I saw one of the directors in the time between the rumours of as approach but before his appointment and asked it was true that Ange was the leading candidate. I was told he was essentially hired. I congratulated him on the appointment and added “he’ll turn the club around. He’s a top quality manager but make sure you let him do what he needs to do”.
Postecoglou was indeed given the order to rebuild the club “no matter what it takes”.
His first week in charge was completed without a directive being given, an order being made. He observed the working of the club, the interactions between players, trainers and coaching staff. After getting the nod, he watched the next home game (v Gold Coast United) from the stands. Rado Vidosic took temporary control of everything while Ange got up to speed.
He had been briefed of the dramas within the club. He wanted to see the extent of them first hand. Had they been overblown by players trying to provoke a revolt? Was anyone crying wolf?
After his week of observation, he set himself the first task: kill the cancer. The cabal including Moore, Miller, Malcolm, Tiatto and Reddy needed to be removed from the club before any rebuilding could begin.
But taking the offensive position was never in Ange’s warplan. The ideal situation was for players to mutually terminate their contract – leave the club immediately – thereby saving the already financially stretched club from paying wages for experienced and well-remunerated players who could earn their salaries by sitting on the sidelines in retribution. He was not going to act until the players either removed themselves voluntarily or gave him no alternative to be removed.
First target was Liam Reddy. His contract was due to expire at the end of the season and there was an option for him to join Wellington Phoenix immediately as first choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the season. It was duly taken. Reddy was gone.
Postecoglou’s first game officially in charge was at home v Central Coast. It is memorable only for one of the most excremental defensive performances ever witnessed in any A-League fixture by Bob Malcolm. Showing the dexterity of a walrus, he allowed CCM players to waltz into the box and shoot untroubled. He was substituted in the 22nd minute with the score already at 0-2. It was so bad, he would not play for the Roar again and not one complaint was ever heard by the fans.
Crowds were dwindling. After averages of 15 000+ in recent seasons, gates of 8000 and 6000 resulted from the club’s floundering on-field performances.
Danny Tiatto then went to the media in his support for Liam Reddy. Tiatto claimed that Reddy was being treated harshly and was unjustifiably pushed out of the club by Postecoglou. This incurred the wrath of the new coach. Insubordination would not be tolerated. Tiatto would be exiled from the playing group and not play for Brisbane Roar again.
Next was Charlie Miller. Miller’s contract was also up for renewal at the end of the season and was told that he had no place in the future of the Brisbane Roar by Ange. Miller’s poor fitness and disciplinary record was never going to endear him to the new coach, even disregarding his destabilising effect on the squad. Miller was so infuriated by the news that he sought to release himself from his contract – which was immediately granted – and he became the first “traitor” to leave Brisbane to join the new local rivals Gold Coast United.
The last one remaining was Craig Moore. The club captain.
In 2006, Craig Moore was one of the best defenders this country had ever produced. We has a key part of the Socceroos historic success in the World Cup. He was rightfully lauded for his excellence. The Craig Moore playing for Brisbane Roar in 2009/2010 was not in the same player as that one marvelled at in 2006. A touch slower, a bit weaker in defence, it was clearly noticeable that he was not in the same form he had shown in the previous two seasons where Brisbane had nearly won the Premiership and the effects on the score sheet were clear for all to see.
It all came to a head on what has since been dubbed “the Boxing Day Massacre”. Gold Coast United v Brisbane Roar in the third meeting of the 2009/2010 season.
Brisbane were yet to beat the new neighbours in their previous two attempts. This was the first at the Gold Coast’s home ground, and the first with Charlie Miller lining up for his new club.
After taking the lead in the 8th minute, Brisbane conceded a goal in first half stoppage time, and when play resumed in the second half the flood gates opened. Final score Gold Coast United 5 Brisbane Roar 1.
In the post-game debrief in the dressing rooms, Postecoglou singled out Craig Moore for some merited criticism. In fact, the entire blame for the collapse was laid at Moore feet. His performance that day was abject, especially for a player as decorated as him. Ange gave him a bollocking in front of the entire squad.
Moore resented that the coach had disrespected the club captain and was so furious, he went to the board with an ultimatum: “It’s him or me”. It was too late for that. Moore’s support base within the team had long eroded. Postecoglou knew he had the board’s full support when he made his attack, safe in the knowledge that any attempted retaliation from Moore would fail. And so it did.
Moore was told that the new coach was a part of the club’s future, not him. He was granted an immediate release from his contract. He would transfer to Kavala in Greece to remain match fit in order to compete for Australia at the 2010 World Cup.
Mission accomplished.
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