Pressure building on these A-League coaches to deliver - fast
As the A-League season starts to take shape pressure is building on a number of coaches. Tom Smithies looks at those bosses who need results to quickly improve.
Sport
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Christmas is coming, and some A-League coaches are getting nervous.
After seven rounds, the under-performers are feeling the heat and owners are looking for evidence that things will take a turn for the better – and quickly.
With three of the four grand finalists from the past two seasons outside the top six, expectations are clearly not being met. Even among those in the upper echelons, some coaches know they need results and fast.
Feeling the heat
Markus Babbel (WSW)
"We have no excuses anymore, so it's only up to us now to bring our performance on the pitch,” said Babbel at the start of the season after remodelling his squad completely. Three wins at the start of the year, albeit rather fortunate ones, was a great start but a draw and two straight losses since have left the side looking shorn of confidence.
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If Babbel’s swearing at a press conference last weekend was unfortunate, rather more so was the home loss to Melbourne City that preceded it. Wanderers owner Paul Lederer has made clear how high expectations are, and with a new stadium to fill positive results are needed urgently.
Marco Kurz (Victory)
Kurz has more excuse than Babbel, having only been appointed at the end of June and having to sign players (and staff) quickly). But last week’s capitulation to Adelaide was labelled “pathetic” by Mark Bosnich, and the fans are deeply unhappy at the level of performances. Some key signings haven’t fired while others have struggled with injury and fitness.
Victory are not traditionally a sacking club, but officials are aware of the disgruntlement among fans who have become accustomed to success. With two home games and two derbies before Christmas, it’s a pivotal month for Kurz.
Will get time
Ufuk Talay (Wellington)
One win and a draw from the first six matches has some fans pining for Mark Rudan’s tenure last season – though it’s worth noting that Phoenix were only a point better off at this stage 12 months ago and had scored fewer goals. Performances under Talay have been encouraging, and there is sympathy for the size of rebuild he had to undertake, bringing in 14 players and losing the likes of Sarpreet Singh and Roy Krishna.
Need a win for comfort
Robbie Fowler (Brisbane)
The Liverpool legend’s debut foray into management has been uncertain, leaving Fowler deeply frustrated by sluggish starts from his overhauled squad.
Fowler has singled out players for criticism over the careless concession of goals, but the six scored by his attack in six games is the league’s second lowest.
Tony Popovic (Perth)
With the addition of Bruno Fornaroli, Glory fans must have thought a repeat of last year’s domination was on the cards, but so far it hasn’t worked out that way.
Several key figures from last year departed and their replacements – particularly in defence – have struggled with injury, and six points gained is less than half last year’s total at this stage.
Ernie Merrick (Newcastle)
The Jets boss’s hopes of returning his side to the summit took a blow with the injury to Wes Hoolahan in pre-season, plus another to striker Kaine Sheppard, and the fact that no player has scored more than once indicates a side short of firepower.
Working on a tight budget, Merrick hasn’t been able to replace his injured players and must wait until they are fit – January at the earliest.