Aurelio Vidmar resigns as Adelaide United director of football after just five months in the job

Aurelio Vidmar has resigned from his role as Adelaide United director of football, effective immediately, after just five months in the job, the Reds announced on Wednesday evening.

• Vidmar returns after eight-year absence

Aurelio Vidmar has resigned from his role as Adelaide United director of football after just five months in the job.

The Reds announced on Wednesday afternoon that the former club captain and coach had stepped down from the position effective immediately.

Vidmar said he had struggled to adjust to the heavy administrative demands of the post, having spent the past 12 years in a variety of coaching roles.

The 44-cap Socceroo said his initial reservations about the job were confirmed, but he had left the club on good terms.

“When we first were discussing the position I wasn’t really sure, because obviously it was a fair bit of an admin role and I hadn’t done that before,” Vidmar said.

“After a little while I thought we’ll give it a crack and that’s what we tried to do.

“But it’s probably not a role for me.

“Sitting behind a desk for 10 hours a day, I found it very difficult.

Veronica Latsko of Adelaide United with Reds football director Aurielo Vidmar after being presented with W-League player of the month in January. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“I had a good think about it … and I couldn’t see that it was going anywhere.

“There’s no hard feelings and (Reds chairman) Piet (van der Pol) knows and understands where I’m coming from.”

Vidmar was appointed to the role in September, at the same time Nathan Kosmina was unveiled as United chief executive.

The 52-year-old worked closely with Adelaide coach Marco Kurz, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the A-League side which culminated in its FFA Cup triumph late last year.

He also played a significant role in the club’s player recruitment, completing the deal to bring Dutch striker Jordy Thomassen to United on loan until the end of the season. Vidmar said increased speculation over the club’s lack of transfer activity had not been a factor in his resignation.

Van der Pol said he respected Vidmar’s decision, but was sorry to see him depart.

“In a very short time he has had a positive impact on the club and with regard to developing a more sustainable long-term strategy,” van der Pol said in a statement.

“I thank him sincerely for his time here and he will remain a close friend and confidant to the club.”

Vidmar played 27 games for the Reds in 2003/04, before guiding them to the 2008 Asian Champions League final and the A-League grand final the following year as coach.

He said he would take a complete break from soccer as he considered his next move.

“Everything is open,” the former Australian under-23 manager said.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure.

“We’ll see what pans out.

“You just don’t know where it goes, that’s the beauty of football.

“But I have a long association with the club (Adelaide) and it’s a club that I hold dear to my heart.

“I’ll still be supporting them and watching very, very closely.”