Defensive Kurz not the man for Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory chiefs declared defensive displays and poor results were behind the sensational sacking of coach Marco Kurz

Marco Kurz oversaw a defensive style of football not to the liking of Victory officials

Melbourne Victory chiefs declared defensive displays and poor results were behind the sensational sacking of coach Marco Kurz on Wednesday, just 13 games into a two-year tenure.

Kurz was unavailable for comment but was understood to be shocked when told on Tuesday evening by the Victory board, who won’t be rushed into appointing a permanent replacement with Carlos Salvachua named interim coach until the end of the season.

Spaniard Salvachua, who has served as an assistant since he was headhunted by previous coach Kevin Muscat 18 months ago, has vowed to attack starting with ­Friday’s visit to Adelaide United.

The Victory’s defensive style was regularly referenced by officials in relation to the reason for the sacking of Kurz, whose side was sitting sixth (four wins, three draws, six losses).

“The decision was not made lightly but based on the best interests of the club moving forward,” Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro said. “Given performances and results to date, we felt now is the time to act.

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“No organisation gets every appointment right. Our members expect an entertaining brand of football.

“We have expectations, we want to be up there. Under the leadership of Carlos, we believe our playing group can deliver on-field success this season.

“Carlos has more than 20 years’ coaching experience in Spain at clubs including Real Madrid and Villareal. He’s highly regarded by players and staff and understands expectations of members and fans.

“With respect to recruitment of head coach beyond this season, we’ll take our time and work through a thorough process.”

Despite an uneasy beginning, it was the frantic final moments of the chaotic 3-2 loss at Central Coast Mariners last Sunday night that sealed Kurz’s fate.

The coach was sent from the field for abusing the fourth official after Victory conceded a second stoppage-time penalty. Club chiefs noted that despite Muscat’s perceived bad temper, he was never sent off in his six-year tenure. Muscat’s shoes were big ones to fill, and Kurz’s style was a shock to the system for everyone.

The club also underestimated the loss of Muscat, who oversaw all matters football.

Kurz was less structured and formulaic than Muscat, giving more responsibility to the players, which may have worked better with last season’s star-studded squad.

In the end, Victory probably didn’t do enough homework on Kurz and vice versa. At ­Adelaide, he had less responsibility for signing players.

Tension started in pre-­season in terms of where responsibility lay with recruiting players and staff. At least one overseas player Kurz wanted is understood to have been blocked by the club.

Victory began pre-season without a goalkeeping coach and conditioning coach and less than 10 first-team players signed and in attendance. The club never caught up. Albanian Migjen Basha arrived just days before round one after a visa delay.

Injuries then played a part. Players were rushed back too early and ultimate responsibility for that lies with the coach.

Behind the scenes there was growing discontent with players and staff.

Victory’s wish for Kurz to play an expansive, cavalier brand was unreasonable considering it’s not his style.

But the sight of left back Corey Brown playing left wing, defensive substitutions, sitting deep at home against Wellington, and the lack of opportunities for youngsters did not sit well.

Youth team coach and ex title-winning midfielder Grant Brebner and academy chief Drew Sherman will step up as assistants.