Victory Fans, Here’s your ANGEswer
When Ange Postecoglu walked out on his back to back Championship team yesterday he confirmed something that many were saying for weeks, he’s off to Melbourne Victory. No one was surprised, but Brisbane Roar fans would be disappointed, as it may bring their all conquering dynasty to a close.
So why the move? Why would any self respecting coach move from the most watchable and successful in the league over the next two years? Most say money, some say it’s a chance to return home; I say it’s a combination of both with a kicker, the chance to work with Australia’s best player of the last decade Harry Kewell.
Season 2011/12 was horrendous to say the least for the most popular club in the league. With all their perceived firepower (Kewell, Thompson, Hernandez & Allsopp) it was expected Victory players would be competing for a title in April, instead of collecting passport stamps for their end of season trip. Next season the board will be under immense pressure, shocking results, little or no communication with member, and mind boggling decisions have the Victory fans demanding more from their club.
Finally Victory has made a step in the right direction. Sacking Ernie Merrick was a mistake, the appointment of Mehmet Durakovic compounded this error, and appointing Jim Magilton was a left field decision that didn’t pan out. The A-League provides a unique complex coaching opportunity for International mangers. It provides some obstacles that would have never been considered in a coaching career. Firstly we play in summer, our squad talent is restrained by a salary cap, and on game day you are restricted by three on field substitutions on the bench. These three scenarios require either a very experienced/adaptable manager or someone who has previous A-League experience.
So what is expected from Ange at the Victory next season, while it would be great to see the messiah build another team from the ground up, I see the board, fans and a certain player demanding a top 3 finish next year. Kewell is in his last few years of professional football and is a true champion with a competitive instinct. Second isn’t good enough for him, and another failed year would see him enforce his ‘walk out’ policy on the controversial contract.
Ange has a very good core of players to work with, but will need to hard on the defensive side of the squad, and instil his never say die attitude into the player’s minds. Too many times this season Victory gave up leads, and hope. Losing from winning positions seemed second nature to Victory nearing the end of the season, and may have proved them a finals place.
One thing is for sure next season, many questions will be answered of the Victory next season, and fortunately for the blue half of Melbourne, this man has all the ANGEswers.
Google+
