Markus Babbel writes off Usain Bolt’s A-League chances

Forthright Western Sydney Wanderers coach Markus Babbel has dismissed Usain Bolt’s prospects of playing in the A-League.

Usain Bolt in action for Central Coast Mariners against Macarthur South West United earlier this month. Picture: AFP

Western Sydney Wanderers coach Markus Babbel has dismissed Usain Bolt’s prospects of playing in the A-League, declaring the experiment with the Central Coast Mariners isn’t working.

The eight-time Olympic champion Bolt has been trialling at the Mariners for most of the past two months in a bid to earn a contract.

He scored two goals in a pre-season game last week and knocked back an offer to play in Malta.

Bolt wasn’t included in the Mariners squad for their opening A-League game in Brisbane tomorrow. Mariners coach Mike Mulvey has said frequently the club may not make a final decision on Bolt until January.

Babbel, who was capped 51 times for Germany, will make his debut as an A-League coach in Perth on Sunday.

He described Bolt as a legend and fantastic person and praised him for bringing global attention to the Mariners and the A-League.

But he said it was a difficult thing for an athlete to switch sports because of the different movements involved in athletics and football. “If it’s possible many, many other people would do it. For me, it’s not working,” Babbel said.

“For the A-League it was a fantastic period, it was top, but I can’t believe that he will play in the A-League.”

Asked if he found it disrespectful that Bolt thought he could play in the A-League, Babbel said: “If I would be a player from the Mariners that would be strange for me because I’m doing this for 20 years, 25 years.

“Then someone has come in and never played professional football before and thinks he’s good like me, it’s not working.”

Speaking to Swiss newspaper Blick, Babbel made it clear he didn’t think Bolt was good enough to play in Australia’s domestic competition.

“The A-League receives much attention from him but honestly, I cannot take that seriously,” Babbel said.

“I saw him play. For all that love, that’s not enough in 100 years.”

AAP