Soccer: The women who wanted Stajcic out

An insider claims the sacking of Alen Stajcic was “about a group of power hungry women with a long-held hatred of him”.

Former Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic.

An insider with deep understanding of the workings of women’s soccer claims the sacking of Matildas coach Alen Stajcic was “not about him as a coach but about a group of power-hungry women with a long-held hatred of him”.

The source, who approached The Weekend Australian on the condition of anonymity, also revealed that they had been told of Stajcic’s sacking at least 24 hours before it happened, raising questions about the process.

“The biggest concern for me is that I was approached with the information that Alen Stajcic would be sacked. If some people (on the street and without a strong connection to the sport) knew of the decision then how many more knew?” the insider asked. “These people knew he was sacked even before he did.

“For information like that to get around, you have to wonder how long it was out there. It also makes you wonder about the whole process.”

The revelations come amid suggestions to The Weekend Australian that some Matildas have taken exception to recent comments made by Football Federation Australia chairman Chris Nikou.

In an interview with ftbl.com.au on Wednesday, Nikou said the Matildas understood the reasons behind the decision to sack Stajcic, who was dumped two weeks ago. FFA has refused to give any details of the reasons for the decision, though there are suggestions of a toxic environment in the camp.

“They (the Matildas) have worked through some issues and my understanding is that people are understanding of the decision and there is a great resolve to get on with football matters,” Nikou said.

However, some Matildas are unhappy with those comments as they are still in the dark as to why Stajcic was sacked.

According to the insider, the job of assistant Matildas coach Gary van Egmond is also on the line. But FFA was told during its two meetings with the Matildas in Coogee on the Monday following Stajcic’s dismissal that if Stajcic could not be reinstated then they wanted to retain all remaining staff members for continuity.

The Australian revealed last week that staff were sent an e-mail saying that, Stajcic aside, no one else would be axed. However, two staff members had already opted to resign in protest over his sacking.

The insider said there were people in high places who had an axe to grind with Stajcic and wanted him out.

“I know of certain situations in which some well-connected people have spoken openly about Stajcic. What gets me is that they haven’t hidden it,” the insider said.

“Some of these comments go back to the Asian Cup in Jordan last year.

“One of them made known she clearly did not rate Alen, saying she thinks he makes poor decisions and if it was up to her he would not be there.

“Interestingly, however, there was never any talk of a poor culture or issues inside the camp.

“When Alen was named temporary coach of the Matildas in 2014, I know one administrator was very disappointed.

“She said she can’t stand him. She did not want him, she did not like him, she thought nothing of him.

“She said they had ‘fought so hard (to keep him out)’ but couldn’t do anything about it.

“Then you add the other levels, like former players, a number of whom have been working behind the scenes against him. Players who have been dropped, players whose contracts have not been renewed.

“I know of one former player who has never forgiven Alen and said she would get her own.

“This is all a combination of people in the background (that have targeted him).”

The insider lifted the lid on claims about some of the families of the players, saying that some parents were part of the worrying culture within the camp.

“There are some big-hitters among the families. There are also some very nice families but there are some who spend a lot of time in the family sections dictating who can or can’t do what,” the insider said. “They look at the line-ups, critiquing Alen and are very vocal.”

According to the source, who has had dealings with Stajcic in the past, they have never seen anything that would be construed as misbehaviour on his part.

“I never saw anything in terms of how he treated people or ­players.

“He could be stand-offish. If he didn’t like someone he wouldn’t exactly be welcoming,” the source said.

“Of course, that wasn’t the case with the players but more to do with some of the families and external people.

“With the players, he is a very nurturing person.

“He understands players, he understands their characteristics. He is willing to work with that.”