Football Confidential: Wanderers goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic could find new home at Melbourne City
Vedran Janjetovic on his way out of Wanderers, a Markus Babbel mystery, stars look overseas and a new role for Hakeem al-Araibi. It’s all in Football Confidential.
There are big changes afoot at the Wanderers, not least in the goalkeeping department where goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic is among several players who have been told they can leave by coach Markus Babbel, despite in his case having another three years on his contract.
Now speculation is growing that a remarkable union is on the cards for Janjetovic with Zeljko Kalac, the former Socceroo turned goalkeeping coach who signed the 31-year old at Sydney FC, then the Wanderers – and now is based at Melbourne City.
Thanks to the form of veteran Eugene Galekovic at City, Mark Birighitti hasn’t had a look in – and we hear he wants out, making Janjetovic the obvious replacement, given how highly Kalac rates him.
After a season marked by too many errors, Janjetovic needs a fresh start, and one option would be a straight swap deal with Birighitti.
But we hear the latter is interested in a move to Melbourne Victory, though incumbent Lawrence Thomas is one of the best in the competition.
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WANDERERS players are still confused at where coach Markus Babbel was last Saturday in the aftermath of the loss to Melbourne Victory that wrapped up their season.
Veteran Mark Bridge was celebrated for retiring after 251 games, with the Wanderers players – plus Victory players and coaching staff – waiting on the pitch to applaud him.
But Babbel wasn’t in sight, having apparently headed to the dressing room on the final whistle, as is his wont at most games. Club officials say Babbel was unaware of the Bridge tribute and returned to the pitch shortly after.
There was also a funny moment when Bridge was celebrated at the club’s awards night on Tuesday, when he was presented with a watch as a thank you for his service.
As Bridge pointed out to the audience, his teammates had already given him a TAG Heuer timepiece the previous day at training.
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A WHOLE swathe of Australian players are aiming for a move overseas, judging by the numbers who have sought to have a highlights reel put together for them by the players’ association.
More than 40 have put in a request, forcing the PFA to employ a fulltime analyst over the next few weeks to keep up with demand.
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ALEN Stajcic’s plans to overhaul the Mariners squad for next season include a daring bid to persuade Melbourne City to loan teen prodigy Ramy Najjarine to the Central Coast next season.
Talks are at an early stage but Stajcic believes he can help City by giving the 19-year-old far more game time than he would get at City.
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THREE months after Hakeem al-Araibi was released from unlawful detention in a Thai prison, the Australian refugee footballer is using his experience to help Victoria’s multicultural communities. Al-Araibi will be unveiled as Football Victoria’s newest employee at Friday’s federation’s Community in Business function in Melbourne.
The Pascoe Vale defender has spent the last fortnight easing into his new part-time role as Community and Human Rights Advocate through a joint endeavour with Professional Footballers Australia, and will formally start on Monday.
“This job will help me because I love to share my story with people,” said al-Araib, who became an Australian citizen in March.
“My story is about how football and sport helped a player; it’s a big example of the power of football and how it can change your life. For many people like me, when they come to Australia it is a new country, a new life and for those people I want to be able to help them, to give them advice.”
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