A turbulent end to Brisbane Roar’s season was not what was expected, even a few short months ago. I was planning on writing something about the season just gone and my thoughts on the upcoming season, but held off while I waited for some news about the coaching situation.
Since the final whistle blew at Robina in the final disappointment against Urawa the off-season has been plentiful with off-field dramas in the club hierarchy.
Managing Director Sean Dobson was dismissed, Chairman Chris Fong is seemingly to follow. Director of Football and guardian of The Philosophy, Ken Stead, has left the club. An admin purge is underway after losing over $A2M in the last year.
When Mike Mulvey was relieved of his role, Dobson went to great lengths to assure the public that Mulvey’s replacement Frans Thijssen was a temporary manager.
But when the season finally ended, no announcements were made. Not even an announcement that Thijssen would become permanent. Then rumours of Ramon Tribulietx were floated. He is a very well credentialed coach who’d have been a fantastic acquisition. But confirmation never came. The waiting intensified.
Then all of a sudden, this was circulated on the internet:
A week later, it was this:
And, not later in the week, but a mere 60 minutes later it was this:
First thing about the club:
The is something quite rotten within the club if an announcement cannot even be planned before it is leaked to the media. The same thing happened with Mulvey: a decision was made and it hit the media before a meeting could even be orgainised to tell the man about his fate privately. To say this is a fiasco is an understatement.
On Tribulietx.
He was the candidate of choice. Ticked every box. I am quite sad that he hasn’t been unveiled as the new manager. He would have achieved the desired results and would have done it with style.
On Aloisi:
He is Australia’s greatest striker. Better than Viduka. He scored 10 goals in a relegated La Liga side in the same year that Torres scored 13 for Atletico Madrid and Ronaldinho put away 17 for Barca. But that doesn’t guarantee greatness on the benches.
I can understand the emotions of supporters saying he is the wrong person for the job at Brisbane Roar. His record at Melbourne Heart is especially poor and he is lucky to get a second chance in the A-League without having to resort to an NPL club.
But I think it is a move with potential.
Anyone who can attract the likes of Harry Kewell, Vince Grella and Orlando Engelaar to play has pulling power. But he is also responsible for recruiting Michael Mifsud.
It isn’t as if he’s been sitting on his couch watching games since his last post at Heart. He has spent considerable time in Barcelona learning from the best. He has been constantly improving his ability to manage a football team. He is motivated and if the Roar job doesn’t work out then his coaching career is certainly finished.
So please: give him a go. All new coaches deserve a shot. Let’s see his plans. Let’s see who he is allowed to keep, who he is ordered to sell and what his philosophy is. He knows how Brisbane play and HE needs to have the confidence in the squad at his disposal.
Buckle up.
goodluckpunters 