Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz says he is not the important one at the Reds — his players and staff are
Adelaide United needs to beat Brisbane Roar on Anzac Day to claim a home final which would eliminate the fourth place predators Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City.
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Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz didn’t show it when he fronted media but the German was emotional after referee Peter Green signalled the potential end of his time on the Hindmarsh bench on Good Friday.
Kurz, 49, hugged his most loyal supporters after Adelaide beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 to give the Reds a massive shot at hosting a home final.
It will be his last chance of returning as a boss of the Reds in SA — if United can hold onto fourth place.
Adelaide beating Brisbane Roar away on Anzac Day will give Kurz a final farewell but if the Reds drop points in Brisbane they’ll be at the mercy of the chasers results — Wellington Phoenix (fifth) and Melbourne City (sixth).
“You know me, I’m not important,’’ Kurz said before ending his two-year tenure next month.
“For me it’s important that we can get good results for our fantastic fans, for the city, we want a home final.
“I see me as a worker for the club, I give the best for the club.
“But I need my boys and my staff around me then I’m really happy.”
Kurz masterminded the timely win over its eternal rival when George Blackwood scored the headed winner in what was fate in the 81st minute.
He was ready to give Blackwood a rest seconds after Victory’s James Donachie had a goal controversially disallowed which infuriated Melbourne boss Kevin Muscat.
Dutchman Jordy Thomassen was ready to replace Blackwood during the next break in play but luckily that didn’t happen until Blackwood scored.
“We spoke about it because he (Blackwood) cramped and we didn’t have the luxury of having a lot of offensive players,’’ Kurz said.
“That means I must be careful and I’m happy that he scored this time the goal because I’m sure I will change him before he scored.
“Maybe he smelled it a little bit and said “look I must score a goal and then you can change me coach.”
Kurz also praised his men against a five-star Victory he knew could hurt the Reds with quality if they were given the chance.
His leaders Isaias, Michael Jakobsen and Craig Goodwin delivered the form that gave the Reds an FFA Cup final win in October but Kurz believed many more men deserved plaudits at the back end of the season.
“Look at the scene before halftime it was a one touch from (Victory’s Ola) Toivonen and that could have been a goal and that’s quality,’’ Kurz said.
“Tactically both teams were very strong and very good against the ball and at the end we were the lucky winner.
“We’re proud about it because now with the next away game it’s in our hands, if we have a home final it’s fantastic.
“And not only the leaders, a big compliment for the whole team when I saw Mickey Marrone how he defended, Scott Galloway, the wingers as well, Nikola Mileusnic is not 100 per cent fit, Ben Halloran came back after a long injury.
“But it’s good to know we’re in good shape.”