Adelaide’s Carl Veart, Sydney FC’s Ufuk Talay, under pressure in blockbuster A-League clash

Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde assess the coaches under immense pressure heading into a blockbuster clash, an exodus at the Jets, and the blowtorch on Melbourne clubs.

Socceroos great Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde assess the coaches under immense pressure heading into a blockbuster clash, a potential exodus at the Jets, and why the blowtorch is on the Melbourne clubs.

PRESSURE ON VEART AND TALAY

Adelaide United mentor Carl Veart and his Sydney FC counterpart Ufuk Talay are coaches under pressure heading into Saturday night’s crucial A-League clash between the Reds and the Sky Blues at Coopers Stadium.

Speculation is rife that unless Veart turns around Adelaide’s sinking fortunes, he won’t be coaching the Reds next season.

It’s understood that should Veart be sacked, it won’t be a decision supported by the club’s chief executive officer Nathan Kosmina and Adelaide’s director of football Marius Zanin.

However, Adelaide’s technical director Ernest Faber is set to have the final say, with the Dutchman understood to be keen for a new face, perhaps from overseas, at the coaching helm.

The Reds have dropped to sixth place on the ladder, having won just one of their past nine matches.

Carl Veart is under immense pressure at Adelaide United. Picture: Getty Images

Defensively, only cellar dwellers Perth Glory have conceded more goals than Adelaide.

However, Veart has been prodigious and extremely successful in recent seasons with developing young players, including teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda, which has led to the Reds making millions of dollars in transfer fees from the sales of these youngster players.

However, that might not be enough to save his job such has been Adelaide’s drop in form in the past two months.

If the Reds lose to Sydney on Saturday they will drop out of the top six but only on goal difference, so not all hope would be lost.

However, unless Adelaide enjoy a significant turnaround in form, Veart’s days at the club seem numbered, which would be a shame for one of South Australian football’s favourite sons.

Talay’s situation isn’t as dire, largely because the Sky Blues remain a great chance of winning the AFC Champions League Two competition.

However, Sydney’s A-League form has been totally unacceptable.

Tipped before the start of the season by many to win the title considering their star-studded squad, which includes the competition’s best player Douglas Costa and match-winning English winger Joe Lolley, the Sky Blues are in serious danger of failing to play finals football.

Sydney FC were tipped to be among the title contenders under coach Ufuk Talay. Picture: Getty Images

Should they lose to Adelaide on Saturday, they could finish the weekend as low as eighth on the ladder and as many as six points outside the top six.

Talay needs to turn his side’s domestic fortunes around, and he can start doing so by beating an Adelaide side that’s low on confidence and could be affected by the doubts over Veart’s future.

Then again, if Adelaide’s players are truly behind Veart, they could lift when it matters most to not only finish the season on a high, but also save their coach’s job.

JETS FACING PLAYER EXODUS

Newcastle’s treatment of departing coach Robbie Stanton has been poor and it could cost the club a host of players.

The Jets confirmed on Thursday the speculation that Stanton would not be at the club next season.

It’s expected that former Socceroos captain Mark Milligan will be appointed as Newcastle’s new coach.

However, what talent remains at Milligan’s disposal remains to be seen.

Several Jets are disillusioned with the club’s treatment of Stanton, who despite being forced to work with the A-League’s smallest budget, has turned Newcastle into a competitive unit that remains a mathematical hope of playing finals football after a slow start to the season.

Lachlan Bayliss is among the unhappy Jets set to chase early releases. Picture: Getty Images

Stanton had signed a new deal in January, but it’s understood that the Jets wouldn’t come to the party with the verbal agreement for much-needed additional staff to the club’s football and medical departments.

Despite a host of Jets players still being under contract, several are expected to seek releases.

They include Dane Ingham and Lachlan Bayliss, who are both in contention to make New Zealand’s squad for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

Clubs that have players selected in World Cup squads receive significant compensation from FIFA, so if the Jets were to lose Ingham and Bayliss, it could cost them about $900,000 if they are chosen in the All Whites squad.

For a club that works on a shoestring budget, that much money could make a world of difference.

Pressure is on Max Caputo and Melbourne City to deliver on their promise for a top two finish. Picture: Getty Images

NO EXCUSES FOR UNITED AND CITY

Western United and Melbourne City can’t afford slip-ups against Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners respectively on Saturday if they are to maintain pressure on Auckland FC for the premiership.

Western Sydney Wanderers could do United and City a huge favour, as well as furthering their own top two ambitions by beating Auckland on Saturday, but regardless, the two Victorian clubs must dispose of Glory and the Mariners, particularly as they are both at home.

Anything less than wins would be a severe blow to the hopes of United and City have of not only finishing first, but potentially second as well.

Originally published as Adelaide’s Carl Veart, Sydney FC’s Ufuk Talay, under pressure in blockbuster A-League clash