Socceroos legend Tony Vidmar is another victim of the FFA system but mourning the loss of his sister is much more important
TONY Vidmar’s sister Silvana passing away peacefully a fortnight ago has put life into perspective for the Socceroos legend, contemplating unemployment after August 25.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IN the space of 18 months three Socceroos legends Tony and Aurelio Vidmar and Paul Okon have all vacated key coaching roles in Football Federation Australia’s men’s development teams.
The young national teams have lost three men that epitomised the perfect development pathway which has now been muddied by the FFA’s curriculum confusion where many coaches take the document literally without adapting to individual needs.
Tony Vidmar is the latest victim, claiming he saw his FFA job coming to an end earlier this year.
Tony, 47, was relayed the news his job was no longer on the table on the weekend.
The nation’s governing body cut the Centre of Excellence program which was worth about $750,000 a year to FFA.
But he believes his tenure in the FFA’s youth program was a success with the focus being on developing individuals like Adelaide United’s Lachlan Brook, 16, for professional football.
“We have done well to take many of these boys to the next level,’’ Tony Vidmar said.
“We had the same sort of principles as what they do in Europe for many of the bigger nations. “They aren’t too worried about winning major tournaments but concentrating more on producing better individual players for future national teams.”
Aurelio was cut from the Olyroos job in March 2016, Okon left the under-20s for an A-League job with Central Coast last year while Tony is about to take some time out.
The trio all made their debuts with NSL clubs, the Vidmars for Adelaide City and Okon for Marconi.
They forged super careers in Europe and all captained the national team in 148 collective appearances.
Ex Adelaide United fitness coach Peter Cklamovski is the new Joeys coach.
His first test starts next month with the 2018 AFC U-16 championship qualification in Mongolia.
FFA made the announcement on Sunday after Cklamovski earned all the correct coaching badges working under Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou as a video analyst over the past four years.
Cklamovski and Olyroos coach Josep Gombau have never played top flight football but under-20s coach Ufuk Talay played professionally in Europe and Japan after making his debut in the NSL with Marconi.
But Tony Vidmar’s sister Silvana passing away peacefully a fortnight ago has put life into perspective for the Socceroos legend contemplating unemployment after August 25.
That’s when Vidmar’s FFA contract ends after five years in the job.
One which saw him play a major role in developing the nation’s best young men, Joeys and
FFA’s Canberra-based Centre of Excellence which closes its doors this month.
“Silvana can rest in peace now she suffered for too many years,’’ said Vidmar whose brother,
Aurelio, is another Socceroos legend mourning the death of their 51-year-old sister.
Originally published as Socceroos legend Tony Vidmar is another victim of the FFA system but mourning the loss of his sister is much more important
‘Why can’t we?’: Matildas’ truth bomb
A core group of Matildas players that have been part of the national team for several years need to take responsibility for the side’s current form.
Simon leaves no ‘stone unturned’ in fight back from injury
Kyah Simon has opened up about her ongoing injury battles, why she refuses to give up and the lengths she is going to make sure her she is fit for an A-League return.