Adelaide United coach signs three-year contract extension with Reds

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart intends to turn the Reds into a powerhouse of Australian football.

Carl Veart has extended his Reds coaching contract. Picture: Roy Van Der Vegt

Convinced of the “clear direction” in which Adelaide United is headed under new chairman Ned Morris, Reds coach Carl Veart has committed his services to the club for three more years.

Under Veart, the Reds – unbeaten in their past 11 matches – are the form team of the competition and are chasing a fifth successive win on Friday night when they host Sydney FC at Coopers Stadium.

However, off the field, Adelaide had been less convincing under the leadership of previous chairman and stakeholder Piet Van der Pol.

Instability and the club’s reluctance to go public with its ownership structure were perhaps among the reasons contract negotiations with Veart – which started several months ago – weren’t finalised until this week’s departure of Van der Pol and the appointment of Morris.

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has signed a new three-year contract with the Reds. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

“There had been indecision about what was happening within the club,” Veart said.

“It was a matter of finding a clear direction of where the club was going.

“This is my team and my club, and I’m very proud of what we have here in Adelaide.

“I’m confident of the direction we’re heading in.

“We have made a lot of progress both on and off the field, but we still have a lot of work to do to ensure we remain one of the most respected clubs in Australian football.

“As for this season, we’re in a very good position and there’s every opportunity to make this campaign very memorable.”

The second-placed Reds are five points behind A-League leaders Melbourne City with four rounds of the regular season remaining.

“We’ve just got to pick up as many points as we can and see where we end up,” said Veart, who added that the biggest difference this season had been his side’s ability to make the most of its chances.

The Reds have scored 47 goals in 22 A-League matches, including 16 in their past four games.

“We are a lot more ruthless in front of goal,” Veart said.

Veart is preparing the Reds for a desperate Sydney, who could drop out of the top six if they don’t win on Friday night.

“It’s going to be a difficult game. Their away record is better than their home record,” he said.

“They have a lot of dangerous players who can hurt you.”

Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan said his team needed to go “back to basics”.

“Clean sheets are a must,” Brattan said.

“If we don’t concede goals, we are more than likely going to score goals with the talent we have.

“If the attitude is spot on and the preparation continues to be good, then on our day we can beat anyone.”

Originally published as Adelaide United coach signs three-year contract extension with Reds