Another Verbeek in line for Adelaide United job

Adelaide United appear on the verge of announcing a replacement coach for Marco Kurz.

Departing Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Adelaide United appear on the verge of announcing a replacement coach for Marco Kurz with Dutchman Gertjan Verbeek in line for the job.

Just days out from United’s grand final qualifier against Perth Glory at HBF Stadium tomorrow, it has been revealed United officials have contacted Verbeek and are close to finalising details.

Verbeek, 56, has an extensive coaching record in Europe having spent time with such clubs as Feyenoord (2008-09) and German outfits FC Nurnberg (2013-14) and VfL Bochum (2014-17). His last job was with Dutch club FC Twente during the 2017-18 season.

Verbeek, no relation to ex-Socceroos coach Pim, is no stranger to Australian soccer having coached former Socceroo Brett Holman in his time at AZ Alkmaar.

Kurz will finish his two-year stint with the Reds at the end of the finals after being told months ago he was no longer part of the club’s plans despite leading them to the playoffs for two consecutive seasons and an FFA Cup win.

The German has become popular with United fans and players and they have been left devastated. Kurz would not be drawn into the situation regarding Verbeek, only saying he is aware of him as a coach during his time in Germany.

He was also reluctant to discuss the possibility he could be a chance to coach Melbourne City, who announced yesterday that they had parted company with coach Warren Joyce.

“I did not know that,” Kurz said of the Joyce situation. “I am not a person of Melbourne City and it is not a question for now, but there has been no contact. I am focusing on my team and Friday night.”

United left for Perth yesterday afternoon with Kurz keen to get the players away from the hype in Adelaide and into a rhythm as quickly as possible.

“The boys will travel early to Perth to get the travel out of the way,” Kurz said.

“Perth has the advantage. They have had a good rest but we have to play again after five days. We have the travel, the flight, the time difference.

“But Perth worked really hard to get this advantage. They finished in position one and in Australia that is a good reward. Still, we will be ready for Friday night.”

Kurz understands how difficult it will be to overcome a Glory side that has proven itself the best in the league this season and will have the advantage of the huge support of their fan base.

Asked what his team needs to do to beat the West Australians, Kurz smiled and said: “A lot.”

He added: “You have to stay very compact, you have to work very good against the ball, like we did in the last game. We need good defence, like we have had in our last six games. Perth are … a well organised team that is very fit and have a lot of quality in the offence.”

Meanwhile, new A-League club Western United FC have added former Socceroo Scott McDonald to their growing squad.

McDonald, 35, will bring plenty of experience to the club, which will join the national competition next season. He has spent 20 years in Europe since leaving Melbourne as a 16-year-old to join English club Southampton.

The diminutive striker has a knack for scoring goals wherever he has been. He was also a championship and League cup winner with Scottish giants Celtic. He has had stints at a number of clubs including Middlesbrough, Motherwell and Millwall.

This season he was pivotal in preventing Partick Thistle from being relegated from the second to the third tier of Scottish football.