NewsBite

Brisbane Roar players in the dark about coach Robbie Fowler’s return

They’re back in training but Brisbane players admit they’re in the dark about the future of Roar coach Robbie Fowler.

Brisbane Roar players are back on the training pitch but coach Robbie Fowler is yet to return from the UK.
Brisbane Roar players are back on the training pitch but coach Robbie Fowler is yet to return from the UK.

They’re back in training ahead of an A-League restart, but Brisbane players admit they’re in the dark about the future of Roar coach Robbie Fowler.

The Roar squad began preparations for next month’s resumption of the 2019-20 campaign at their Logan headquarters on Friday, with assistant Darren Davies at the helm.

Watch Kayo-Mini Football Replays On-Demand with KAYO. A-League, Socceroos, Matildas plus European and English leagues. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Liverpool legend Fowler and his right-hand man Tony Grant remain in England having travelled back there following the suspension of the league due to the COVID-19 crisis in March.

Despite remaining hopeful Fowler would return to Australia soon, young striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls admitted players had no idea when both Fowler and Grant would be back at the club.

“Obviously the boss has been great throughout the season, he’s just got us to where we are now,” Wenzel-Halls said.

“Everyone’s hoping he’s coming back but that’s out of our control.

“So we’re just in here to work hard and hopefully start back where we left off before COVID.”

When Fowler and Grant do return to Australia, they will need to complete a 14-day quarantine period before being able to get back to training and matches. The uncertainty over the coach is just one issue Roar players have had to overcome in recent weeks, with the league’s future also up in the air amid ongoing discussions between Football Federation Australia and broadcaster Fox Sports.

Goalkeeper Jamie Young said returning to training would be a welcome distraction from those uncertainties for players across the country.

“It is concerning because you know, it’s like an elephant in the room,” Young said.

“We all know it’s there, but that’s just one of the challenges of our sport in this country.

“We have to be able to manage those situations.

“We’re back and have normality, a routine … we have to just concentrate on kicking balls again which is great.”

AAP

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/brisbane-roar-players-in-the-dark-about-coach-robbie-fowlers-return/news-story/81ccbdcb8cd7de2065aaee393c1efe30