Adelaide United to part ways with coach Carl Veart at end of season

Adelaide United will have a new coach next season after deciding against offering Carl Veart a new contract.

Brazilian mentor Airton Andrioli is an early contender to coach Adelaide United next season following the club’s confirmation on Thursday that current mentor Carl Veart’s stint will end at the conclusion of the A-League season.

Speculation has been rife that Veart wouldn’t be offered a new deal, with the Reds having fallen outside of the top six after winning just one of their past 10 matches.

Adelaide has also conceded 48 goals in 22 A-League matches this season, the competition’s second worst defensive record.

However, it’s understood that Veart had been expecting to be shown the door since early this season.

“The club has exercised a contractual option not to extend his tenure beyond the current campaign,” the Reds’ Dutch owner Cor Adriaanse said.

“Change is never easy, but it is a natural part of growth. This decision has been made as part of a broader long-term strategy – one that Carl has helped shape.

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart (left) is consoled by his Sydney FC counterpart Carl Veart after the Reds’ 3-2 weekend loss to the Sky Blues. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“We are entering an exciting new chapter, built on the strong foundations he has laid, and we remain fully committed to our identity as a proud South Australian club.

“Carl’s legacy at Adelaide United is undeniable. He has led this club with integrity, resilience and a deep connection to our community, and for that, we owe him our heartfelt thanks.”

Former Socceroos striker Veart took charge of the Reds in July 2020 and has since guided the club to three finals series.

However, Adelaide finished eighth last season.

The Reds’ 2024-5 campaign started on a brighter note but they are now in seventh place after being in the top two for several weeks.

All is not lost, however, in Adelaide’s bid to pay finals football, with three of the club’s remaining four regular season matches against the teams currently occupying the bottom three spots on the ladder – Perth Glory, Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar.

Sources close to the Reds have said 60-year-old Andrioli, who is currently on Veart’s coaching staff and has previously worked extensively with Adelaide youth players, is the early favourite for the top job.

Other names linked to the job include former Socceroos captain Mark Milligan, although he is expected to soon be confirmed as Newcastle’s new coach, and current Australian under-23 mentor and ex-Socceroos defender Tony Vidmar, whose previous links with Dutch football could enhance his chances of taking over from Veart.

Other mooted options include former Melbourne City coach John van ‘t Schip, who recently had talks with Reds officials in Adelaide, and ex-Adelaide captain Michael Valkanis, whose coaching stint last year with Turkish club Adana Demirspor lasted less than three months.