Analysis: Adelaide United coach Maro Kurz’s largely successful two-year tenure will put untold pressure on the new Reds boss

Gertjan Verbeek — if he is the new Adelaide United coach — is on a hiding to nothing following in the footsteps of Marco Kurz.

Marco Kurz at Hindmarsh Stadium. Picture: TAIT SCHMAAL.

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Marco Kurz will be a hard act to follow.

His exit points to two things: Adelaide United could not afford to re-sign the German or chairman Piet van der Pol didn’t agree with his philosophies. Or both.

Adelaide United’s now former coach Marco Kurz celebrates a win this season with the fans. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

In hindsight Kurz should have been paid out of his two-year contract at the end of last season about two months after the new owners took over.

It would have made more sense.

Instead the German was allowed to prove why he is arguably the best coach in the country.

Van der Pol has now put prospective new coach Gertjan Verbeek under enormous pressure.

Verbeek, if he is the man to lead the Reds — and everything points to the 56-year-old being named as Kurz’s replacement — is on a hiding to nothing.

Why?

Being knocked out of the A-League championship race by a number of fatigued penalty takers in the shootout loss to Perth Glory away on Friday was a culmination of two years of reconnaissance under Kurz.

The German unwittingly wrote a first chapter in June 2017 when he landed in Adelaide to start his new gig.

His ethos was about expecting his players to work hard.

In return he ensured that he had done every ounce of research about everything a professional needs in the Reds environment which was far from flashy.

Players that couldn’t, wouldn’t or refused to buy into his spirit were not given special dispensation.

All signs are pointing to Gertjan Verbeek being named the new Adelaide United coach. Picture: Peter Lous/Soccrates/Getty Images

They were axed.

Others that obeyed his wishes were rewarded.

He prepared a team of warriors that were competitive in almost every match they played — there were exceptions but Kurz drove his men to bounce back.

He never saw his Reds drop out of the top-six this season and won the FFA Cup trophy.

Kurz for two years worked miracles with a squad which had a budget comparable to being not much more than bottom-placed Central Coast according to well-placed sources in the A-League industry.

Kurz had far less cash to work with than Premier’s Plate and grand finalist Perth Glory, grand finalist Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City and Western Sydney.

Money can buy luxuries but that’s not what Kurz was about.

Marco Kurz leaves the pitch at Hindmarsh for his last home game at the club after the elimination final win against Melbourne City. Picture SARAH REED

Despite his wishes not being met — a proven goalscorer was a priority in the off season and a centre back during the January FIFA transfer window — he managed to squeeze every last ounce of energy from what he had.

In January the arrival of striker Jordy Thomassen to solve the Reds goalscoring woes at the request of van der Pol clearly put untold pressure on the Dutchman who hadn’t scored since April 16, 2018.

Kurz was patient with his boss’s request, started Thomassen for five games and the Reds slumped to a five-game winless streak before he was benched during their purple patch and later dropped.

Losing centre back Taylor Regan who wanted out in January was also a problem Kurz needed to address.

He wanted an experienced centre back to replace Regan.

Adelaide was on the verge of signing Jon Aurtenetxe, 27, formerly of Athletic Bilbao and now Adelaide Comets on a $15,000 loan deal but instead of sulking, Kurz turned right back Michael Marrone into a stopper.

Marrone was one of the Reds best at the back end of the season, more proof that Kurz is a greater leader than what he is given credit for.

Clarity is the key issue at the moment.

Adelaide United is the still ‘People’s Team’ it doesn’t belong to a clique, it’s the state’s pride and joy.

It’s everyone’s right to enjoy the Reds.

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