John Aloisi’s plight has brother Ross feeling ‘uncomfortable’ ahead of their A-League coaching battle

The Aloisi brothers go head-to-head in an A-League coaching battle that could have disastrous consequences for one of them.

Brisbane Roar mentor Ross Aloisi is doing his best to avoid the emotion attached to Friday night’s coaching duel with his embattled brother John but admits to feeling “uncomfortable” about his younger sibling’s plight at Western United.

The fortunes of the Aloisi brothers could hardly be any more stark ahead of their A-League battle at AAMI Park.

In his first season as an A-League head coach, Ross is flying at the Roar, who are only one point behind competition leaders Macarthur FC and playing an attractive brand of football that has endeared Aloisi to his squad.

However, while Ross and the Roar are full of confidence, John and United are searching for answers and struggling at the bottom of the ladder after six successive losses.

“My brother’s my best friend, so it’s uncomfortable when I see him not doing as well as what he should be doing,” Ross said.

“I spoke to him earlier in the week, not about football, just to see how he was going, like we normally do.

“It’s an unpleasant situation for him at the moment, but he’ll get through it.”

Ross Aloisi (left) and his brother John are ready to go head-to-head at AAMI Park. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Ross admitted he wasn’t sure how to feel about a game that could have disastrous consequences for John if United slump to a seventh straight defeat.

“I don’t know how I feel. It just feels like another game with my brother on the other side,” Ross said.

John was confident his job wasn’t on the line despite United’s horrible start to the season.

“I don’t think it’s under threat because I know what’s happening within the football club,’ the Socceroos great said.

“The results are one thing. Of course we’re not happy with the results, but at this football club we’re rebuilding and … in terms of where we’re going to get to, this is a difficult moment for the whole football club, not just with the results, everything in general.

“I don’t come out and say publicly what’s going on because that’s not my place. I’m the one that will stand in front of the camera and be criticised. I accept that. I know what it’s like to be a head coach.”

As a former Roar coach, John has been impressed with Ross’s work in Brisbane, where the club’s football department has historically been forced to work with a shoestring budget.

“I am proud of him,” John said

“Ross knew what he was getting into before he moved there because he was with me (as an assistant) for a period there.

“He’s gone in there and changed things straight away, which has been really good for the playing group and the club itself. They’re playing some really good football and getting the results.

“I’m proud of what he’s doing. I always knew he had the capacity to be a great coach That’s what I brought him in to be my assistant when I was at Brisbane Roar.”

Originally published as John Aloisi’s plight has brother Ross feeling ‘uncomfortable’ ahead of their A-League coaching battle