John Kosmina: Uncertainty over Marco Kurz’s coaching future is hurting Adelaide United

Adelaide United’s coaching issue needs to be resolved sooner rather than later because it is having an effect, regardless of whether coach or management like to think differently, writes John Kosmina.

Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz before the Round 22 A-League match against Perth Glory. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

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Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz drew a line in the sand when he called out club chairman Piet van der Pol last week on discussions, or the lack thereof, regarding his ongoing tenure at the Reds.

For the record, Kurz claims he phoned van der Pol a few weeks back and didn’t get a call-back. Van der Pol, on the other hand, was in China preparing his club there for the new season and only arrived back in Adelaide earlier last week.

For the record, he claims he told Kurz they would discuss the situation in early March when he returned from the planned trip.

United player Mirko Boland in front of United head coach Marco Kurz on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

There’s always two sides to the story — and maybe a few more in this case because, unfortunately, nothing is straightforward in football.

Anyway, back in January I wrote: “Now to the elephant in the room so to speak — the future of Marco Kurz at United. It come out this week that there are ‘philosophical differences’ between Kurz and football director, Aurelio Vidmar.

“I got the feeling talking to different people weeks ago that it was more than likely going to come to this point. There have been rumours around for a while that his training regimen is too hard and causing soft tissue injuries to the players — a common complaint when coaches and management have differences of opinion or other agendas are in play. It may be true, it may not, but now it is in the media it has a life of its own and it generally means the end is nigh.”

Since then Vidmar has resigned for personal reasons but not much else has changed — except that their form has dipped to critical levels for the team’s finals hopes.

Back on track though, has Kurz actually stated he wants to stay? He says he wants to discuss his future and that of the club, including its direction, but I’m not sure if he’s come out stating he wants to be part of it or is waiting for the club to make the offer.

Seems to be a bit of “cat and mouse” being played, which is generally the case. Kurz has been linked with the vacant Brisbane job but my mail on that is definitely not.

The Brisbane rumours might just be part of a different agenda. Whatever the case, as much as Kurz or anyone else wants to deny it, the uncertainty is starting to bite.

The rumours are out that the dressing room is lost — an old favourite for players when things aren’t going well.

But then, they were around when Gui Amor took 10 games to get his first win back in 2015/16 and the team went on to win the double.

The difference then was in the quality and experience of the playing group — Djite, Carrusca, Galekovic, Sanchez and Isaias plus some kids on the up including Kamau, Mauk and Goodwin. The team that played Perth on Friday night didn’t compare, player for player, in experience. Perth is a team of hardened professionals and at Coopers Stadium it showed when it counted the most.

So maybe, in perspective Kurz hasn’t done too bad a job.

All that being said the coaching issue needs to be resolved sooner rather than later because it is having an effect, regardless of whether coach or management like to think differently.

It always does, and the conjecture can — and generally, does — undermine coach-player relations and on-pitch performances.

Get it sorted, one way or the other, get it out into the marketplace and get on with the finals — or, at least getting into them!