Adelaide United chairman Piet van der Pol reveals reasons behind an off-season of change for Reds
Piet van der Pol says an off-season of change has built a fresh platform for success at Adelaide United. The Reds chairman discusses the star departures and promising arrivals in an exclusive interview ahead of the A-League campaign.
An off-season of star departures and promising arrivals has built a fresh platform for success, according to the man steering Adelaide United.
Chairman Piet van der Pol had overseen the high-profile exits of Isaias and Craig Goodwin, as well as coach Marco Kurz, since the end of last campaign.
But the Dutchman was encouraged by the return of hometown hero Riley McGree and the signing of Curacao international Michael Maria, 11 weeks out from the A-League kick-off.
Van der Pol said new Reds manager Gertjan Verbeek, along with a rebuilt backroom team and a restored commitment to youth, offered further reasons for optimism.
“The off-season is always a positive time,” said van der Pol, whose consortium assumed control of United in March last year.
“The great thing about football is that every year everyone starts with zero points and everyone can get their hopes high about what is going to happen in the new season.
“Having said that, I am very happy with our developments so far.
“It’s a very long pre-season still to go, but the start is good.”
In an exclusive interview with The Advertiser, van der Pol discussed the thinking behind the Reds’ key decisions since last season’s semi-final defeat to Perth Glory.
He also outlined his targets for the campaign ahead and vision for the future.
COACHING SWITCH
Van der Pol moved quickly to secure the services of Verbeek, after Adelaide decided not to renew the contract of German mentor Kurz in March.
He backed his countryman to thrive in his debut season Down Under, citing their shared football ideology and an acquaintance stretching back five years.
“The new coach is blending in well,” said van der Pol from China, during a fortnight-long visit to United’s sister club Qingdao Red Lions.
“There’s some changes in the approach and … I think everyone is enjoying the new start.
“Every club in the world should have its philosophy and approach and appoint the people that suit the philosophy, rather than having people come in and implement their own philosophy.
“I have my ideas on how I want the club to function and I went looking for a coach that can further develop the club.
“But even still, football is 50 per cent luck and randomness.
“The best coach in the world can fail and the worst coach in the world can win the title — everything is possible.”
Van der Pol said Kurz’s appointment as Melbourne Victory boss would add heat to an already spicy on-field rivalry, but was “all part of football”.
STAR PLAYER EXITS
The loss of captain Isaias, to Qatari side Al-Wakrah in May, and Socceroos winger Goodwin, to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Wehda last week, had topped United fans’ off-season concerns.
While saddened to see two of the Reds’ elite performers depart, van der Pol said the moves reflected the financial limitations of A-League clubs compared to their Asian counterparts.
He said buyout clauses, such as those inserted in the duo’s contracts and triggered by the cashed-up Middle Eastern teams, were a necessary evil for Australian sides.
“Of course these are players that we would have loved to keep with us,” van der Pol said.
“But often the best players in return for their services will demand a clause (saying) ‘hey I want to have an opportunity to leave’.
“That can be a reason players come to your club.
“You can either agree (to the buyout clauses) or wait for another club to agree, and let a player go elsewhere.
“They (Isaias and Goodwin) have both been outstanding players for us and now they get the opportunity to make five to 10 times more money per year elsewhere.
“That’s the reality of the global game and that happens whether its (Brazilian superstar) Neymar or the A-League.
“We can only make sure we attract the best possible players and we develop the best possible players.”
NEW ARRIVALS
Adelaide pulled off one of the recruiting coups of the winter when it snatched SA-born midfielder McGree from under the noses of a host of domestic foes.
The deal was a sign of intent from the Reds, as they paid an undisclosed transfer fee for the first time to entice the 20-year-old home from Belgian side Club Brugge.
Van der Pol said the McGree move, as well as last week’s purchase of left back Maria, 24, demonstrated the blueprint for strengthening United’s squad.
“Putting a good team together is all about how much you can see in the future,” said van der Pol, who praised McGree’s display in the Reds’ opening pre-season hitout against MetroStars.
“While realising that it’s impossible to look into the future for everyone, you should always be one or two years ahead with your planning of your team.
“If we have a talent in a certain position, don’t sign another one (in the same position) for three years who will be blocking the young boy.
“It’s particularly important for us to get the forward planning right to fit with what the coach wants and also to fit our internal ideas.
“Building a football team is always a work in progress.”
BACKROOM CHANGES
United had undergone a major overhaul of its support staff since last season, as a trio of Reds greats returned to the club.
Record scorer Bruce Djite was appointed director of football, former striker Carl Veart an assistant coach and title-winning skipper Eugene Galekovic goalkeeper mentor.
Van der Pol said bringing past players back to Adelaide, chosen primarily for their ability to shine in backroom roles, helped maintain the club’s identity and connect with fans.
He said the arrival of ex-Ajax, PSV and Sheffield Wednesday forward Gerald Sibon as performance coach would enhance the progression of youth talents to the senior side.
“We have the first team and the second team and now somebody who can be the link in-between,” said van der Pol of Sibon, who worked under Verbeek at SC Heerenveen.
“Gerald is a person that with his personality goes together well with the head coach.
“But the other important thing is that he was a great striker … and he can teach the boys something.
“It’s great to see that all of the coaching staff have shown a great interest in the rest of the club so far in watching the NPL (youth) team’s games.
“That shows to the boys, ‘hey I am watching you guys, if you can show yourself’.
“I understand this is happening more now than it was before.”
LOYAL SUPPORT
Van der Pol remained “100 per cent” confident Adelaide would again achieve its objective of challenging for a top-three finish and silverware, following last year’s FFA Cup triumph.
He said the Reds were committed to serving up an attacking, entertaining brand of soccer, offering loyal fans more incentive to return to Hindmarsh Stadium this campaign.
“It’s a more possession-based style of football, which I personally like, and I’m sure the supporters will also appreciate,” van der Pol said.
“What they are always going to have here is the passion of the club and passion of their fellow supporters.
“We are promising that our players will do everything it takes to win our games, so there’s always going to be the fighting spirit and there is certainly also a lot of quality.
“We have the best football stadium in the country and we think that we will have one of the best teams in the country this year.”
The A-League season starts on October 11.