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The Stajcic Era, a Partnership of desperates or a Marriage Made in Heaven?

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
i think the shambolic state of the matildas , at the world cup . shows what a cluster f'k
his removal was . the incompetence lays squarely with the FFA .
we have the best coach in the league i have no doubt

I’m hesitant to make that call, but my instincts say he’s definitely a cut above what we’ve had since GA.

Meanwhile Rudan is being touted as “the next big star coach” of the HAL.

We shall see.
 
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BrisRecky

I'm an idiot savant without the pesky savant bit
It says a lot about Staj`s integrity in that he hasn`t openly "aired his dirty laundry in public".
Personally I like the man and so far he`s done everything right.
I can`t wait `til the season begins...:popcorn:
Why do they keep dragging this shit into the light of day...I’m fairly certain the f**kedOffFA are the only ones still thinking about it
 
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Rowdy

Well-Known Member
ANGER AS REVIEW BANS STAJCIC INPUT:
Staj.jpeg

Alen Stajcic may be banned from being part of the review into how he came to be sacked as Matildas coach, Football Coaches Australia revealed today.

Stajcic was summarily sacked in January after two surveys identified issues needing following up within the team, despite Stajcic having already set up player workshops to discuss the survey results.

The dismissal sparked a furious row within Australian football and an ever-changing narrative from the FFA about the reasons for the sacking – on the eve of the Women's World Cup – caused deep divides within the sport.

The FFA later paid Stajcic a lump sum and deputy chair of the FFA Board Heather Reid made a public apology for comments she made about the coach to others, having already stood down from her post for medical reasons.

Now the FFA have appointed an independent panel to conduct an inquiry into the way the national teams are run in the wake of the row.

But FCA says the terms of reference for the inquiry will rule out Stajcic being able to tell the inquiry panel his perspective on his sacking.

Legal advice to the FCA says the inquiry will only be able to interview current coaching staff and FFA management, and inspect any relevant paperwork.

Other key figures in the decision to axe Stajcic may also have left the FFA by the time the review gets round to interviewing them.

Head of women's football Emma Highwood is set to exit this week, and CEO David Gallop is currently serving out his notice too, with others also expected to leave soon after FFA 's imminent split from the A-League.

"FCA welcomes the independent inquiry into FFA's management and processes regarding National Teams," said FCA president Phil Moss today.

"This has followed the significant damage to Alen's reputation and mental well-being, largely caused by various public and private communications made by members of the FFA Board and FFA senior management.

"Our hope is that the review leads to the implementation of due practice whereby
any coach who is terminated, or being considered for termination, is afforded proper process."

But he added: "Questions must be asked as to why the Terms of Reference do not extend to third-party submissions nor football stakeholders that had involvement in the termination of Alen.

"As it stands, the Terms of Reference only permit the panel to interview FFA senior management and national team staff whilst also conducting a documentation review.

"Some of those staff have already departed FFA and others have signalled their intention to leave in the coming months."

Football Coaches Australia believes the review will be doomed to fail unless its scope is extended.

"We fear the Terms of Reference in their current state will not permit the panel to arrive at findings that ensure that such a situation never occurs again in future," said Moss.

"While the termination of Alen has proven the catalyst for this inquiry, the broader issue is a heightened respect for coaches moving forward.

"FCA will continue to strive for due process, procedural fairness, a unified grievance procedure and standardised contracts for its professional coaches."
 

Rowdy

Well-Known Member
STAJCIC:
"I FEARED I MIGHT NEVER COACH AGAIN".

AlanStajic.jpg

Central Coast Mariners boss Alen Stajcic admits he feared he might never coach again after the brutal way Football Federation Australia axed him as Matildas coach.


Stajcic was sacked after five years in the post without any warning in January, in a move which later sparked a series of apologies and a payout to the coach.

It also saw the FFA deputy chair Heather Reid stand down from per post on health grounds, and sparked an internal FFA inquiry.

None of it gave Stajcic back his Matildas job though despite successfully guiding the Matildas to the France 2019 Women's World Cup as one of the favourites to take the trophy.


But with Ante Milicic unexpectedly seconded into a caretaker coaching role for the tournament, the team crashed out disappointingly at the round of 16 stage instead.

And while the storm of protests from players past and present rolled out around him earlier this year, Stajcic was left to ponder if he had any future left in the game.

His reputation was stained by deliberate obscure references by FFA CEO David Gallop to the apparently damaging findings of two separate surveys conducted for the FFA by the PFA and Our Watch.

HEAR MORE ON THIS IN THE FULL PODCAST:
0_0_0_0_70__News_podcastalens.jpg


But it was later revealed neither organisation had even suggested sacking the coach, and the issues raised in the surveys were to be addressed at a players and coaching staff workshop in Sydney just days later.

At home, Stajcic had to adapt from planning a World Cup campaign to planning a future of any kind – and the worry that it might never again be in coaching.

"That thought crossed my mind at some point," he tells the new FTBL Podcast. "I didn't see anything at that time. I had the usual cliches from people around me that when one door closes another one opens.

"But you just don't see it at that time. You don't know where you're going to end up. It was a tough time for sure."

He admitted: "Things definitely haven't panned out or played out as I expected in 2019.

"I probably didn't expect to be sitting where I am at the moment. Like anyone who's gone through anything like that, it's all a setback.

"But I haven't seen anyone's journey in life or football be a linear progression. You've got to show resilience and I always talk about that with the players.

"I had to look in the mirror, jump back on my feet and find a way to fight my way through the tough times."

Stajcic relied on family and friends to help give him hope, and it's an experience he feels has made him better as a coach and one that has helped him relate even more to the Mariners.

"I've got a strong family unit who were there in the tough times and a good friendship network as well," he tells FTBL.

"That's vital when you when you're in tough times like that, so I can only be thankful and grateful to them."

Among the supporters were two of his assistant coaches at the Matildas, Paul Jones and Nahuel Arrarte who quit in protest over the FFA's action.

"Both of them sacrificed the World Cup to show support and loyalty and a massive amount of integrity as well," said Stajcic.

He admits he was disappointed by what happened to the Matildas in France, but highlights the increasing quality of women's football around the world.

"I was a little disappointed," he told the FTBL Podcast. "I want to see the Matildas and Socceroos succeed.

"Right from when I started with the Matildas, our goal was to become one of the best teams in the world and by the time I'd finished, I think we were pretty close to being one of the best.

"I think everyone who who's grown up in football in this country – we've always had that underdog mentality, wanting to beat and and compete with the big guns around the world and show that we can stand on our own two feet.

"I think that's going to be a continuous battle for both the Matildas and the Socceroos going forward."

He added: "That women's football is now become so competitive is really positive for football and for women's football around the world.

"The fact that in countries which probably didn't care about it so much in the past, like Spain and Italy, and some of those Latino countries are starting to take women's football a little bit more seriously just shows how big the sport is getting so quickly.

"I just saw Bocca beat River Plate and there was 6000 people in Argentina - real football countries taking it seriously.

"And big crowds in Spain, in Italy, for club football in England now, the rise of Manchester City and Manchester United are in their premier league now as well.

The Champions League for women as well now – the international scene is just a reflection of how much more investment in time and care is being put into the game.

"Looking forward to the future, I think that there are some real positives for women's football around the world. But the fact that our players are already on the cusp of being the best players in the world really means that we can stamp our authority as a national team."

After being devastated by the Matildas axing, a spot in the A-League seemed unlikely to Stajcic.

But after watching on television as the Mariners suffered yet another defeat last season, this time against Wellington Phoenix, Stajcic took the call that would bring him back to coaching.

After the Gosford side were crushed in a humiliating 8-2 thrashing, coach Mike Mulvey was sacked – and club CEO Shaun Mielekamp got on the phone to Stajcic the next day.


"I've been a close friend of Mike's for 15 years and I was just hoping they would do really well for his sake – and saw it all unravel that night," said Stajcic.

"I received a call the next day from Shaun who I'd met only once or twice in my life prior to that and he asked if I would be interested, so you know, it was an opportune moment.

"I'm just extremely grateful to owner Mike Charlesworth and Shaun that they had faith to call me and give me the job, both short-term and now for a three year term.

"I think both the club and myself are in probably similar predicaments where we were at our lowest ebbs – and I had to pick myself up personally.

"And that's definitely the motto around the club, trying to pick ourselves up, from the front office to all the football staff to the playing group as well."

He added: "I've always taken the same mentality and same philosophy to the game wherever I've gone.

"I've always wanted to find the best for that group and best for each individual in that group to be the best they can be and for that team to be the best they can be.

"So whether that was the Matildas or the Central Coast or a kids team, I've never really wavered from that.

"Regardless of whether people think I've made good decisions, or bad decisions, or team selections or whatever, deep down in my heart, I just want to see football succeed and I want it to be the biggest sport in the country.

"That will never change and that's really at the core and foundation of what I believe so in my heart I always tried to do that.

But he admits: "I've been coaching now for 22 years – but I'm a rookie in the job in A-League terms.

"I'm learning every day. And as I said, I'm loving it..."
 

FFC Mariner

Well-Known Member
I thought it might be "I feared I'd never make a substitution again"
Scary that he didn't react to us tiring and being down to 10 men
Hopefully he learns from it
 

Wombat

Well-Known Member
Typical FFA whitewash. Corrupt dogs.
——————————————-
I would like to hear Stajs’ reason for not making any subs?
 

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
He’s doing so much right that you have to think there must be some sound reasoning. But I can’t fathom it. And the suggested explanations I’ve heard so far aren’t satisfying.
 

Ironbark

Well-Known Member
A cynical view is that this game meant something - and Staj didn't have faith that his bench players were going to be any better than the tired players already out there and wasn't willing to risk disrupting team cohesion on them...
 

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
A cynical view is that this game meant something - and Staj didn't have faith that his bench players were going to be any better than the tired players already out there and wasn't willing to risk disrupting team cohesion on them...

That would be a huge worry, but even that doesn’t make sense to me. If players are gassed, especially when out numbered, better or not, they become liabilities. The energy of Melling weemac and or majok could of really made a key difference.

I understand holding off when things are delicately poised and when something’s not broke. You don’t fix it etc... but we were obviously tiring quickly, needed to close shop and instead kept on tired legs that will always mean you can create space. And AU did.
 

turbo

Well-Known Member
A cynical view is that this game meant something - and Staj didn't have faith that his bench players were going to be any better than the tired players already out there and wasn't willing to risk disrupting team cohesion on them...

I don’t think that’s too far fetched. Once we went down to 10 and conceded very quickly I believe that’s probably the case and didn’t have the firepower to risk taking off the tiring but higher quality starting players. They couldn’t get us back in front and it looked like we were headed for extra time minus a player. From there it’s not about a lack of faith but getting the most out of every sub with the view of grinding out a result / getting through to a shoot out.

With hindsight it was the wrong call and it was a gamble but we were 5 or so minutes away from it being a master stroke. The break before extra time would have let him check who really needs a sub and possibly adjust the formation / game plan.

Should we have subbed Simon? Probably but you also need to be able to rely on your senior players nevermind your captain not to do dumb stuff like that on a yellow. We had players fading that could have been replaced and if he had his time again maybe Staj would have but at 1-1 and 10 men I don’t think our bench gave him too many options.
 

style_cafe

Well-Known Member
I don’t think that’s too far fetched. Once we went down to 10 and conceded very quickly I believe that’s probably the case and didn’t have the firepower to risk taking off the tiring but higher quality starting players. They couldn’t get us back in front and it looked like we were headed for extra time minus a player. From there it’s not about a lack of faith but getting the most out of every sub with the view of grinding out a result / getting through to a shoot out.

With hindsight it was the wrong call and it was a gamble but we were 5 or so minutes away from it being a master stroke. The break before extra time would have let him check who really needs a sub and possibly adjust the formation / game plan.

Should we have subbed Simon? Probably but you also need to be able to rely on your senior players nevermind your captain not to do dumb stuff like that on a yellow. We had players fading that could have been replaced and if he had his time again maybe Staj would have but at 1-1 and 10 men I don’t think our bench gave him too many options.

Staj could have given him the benefit of the doubt and left him on to rally the troups, only Staj can answer that.

If Staj has to sub Simon whenever he gets a card then Simon should not be in the starting lineup. Simple.

Then that goes against Matty,I agree.
However, if he has been told he`ll get hooked if he gets a yellow (needlessly) then gets it for mouthing off then he deserves to be dropped.
 

pjennings

Well-Known Member
Should we have subbed Simon? Probably but you also need to be able to rely on your senior players nevermind your captain not to do dumb stuff like that on a yellow. We had players fading that could have been replaced and if he had his time again maybe Staj would have but at 1-1 and 10 men I don’t think our bench gave him too many options.

At 1 - 0 and having lost impetus the smart move was Nisbet for Simon. To avoid a likely second yellow and secondly to regain a bit of control. At 1-1 and 10 men then who makes way? It's a tough call.
 

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
At 1 - 0 and having lost impetus the smart move was Nisbet for Simon. To avoid a likely second yellow and secondly to regain a bit of control. At 1-1 and 10 men then who makes way? It's a tough call.

Agree. But I think it’s more usual to see a coach making no subs when you still have 11 or if the game is poised/even. But at ten men 1 -1 with 16 minutes to go and a clearly tired midfield...

You have no choice but to bring fresh legs on or accept that you’re either going to camp in your own last third and endure wave after wave of attack, or you can try and hold shape and hope to get another goal but odds are you will be stretched and they’ll just get a second.

Which might sound like I’m playing 20/20 hindsight here. But honestly we know it’s not. It’s a pretty obvious outcome - which is why I’m so baffled by Staj’s choice. Feel like there must be something we’re not privy too and I’m missing.

But waspish has to be close to the truth I guess. If there’s players you believe in on the bench, no way you don’t make a change surely?
 
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bikinigirl

Well-Known Member
Agree. But I think it’s more usual to see a coach making no subs when you still have 11 or if the game is poised/even. But at ten men 1 -1 with 16 minutes to go and a clearly tired midfield...

You have no choice but to bring fresh legs on or accept that you’re either going to camp in your own last third and endure wave after wave of attack, or you can try and hold shape and hope to get another goal but odds are you will be stretched and they’ll just get a second.

Which might sound like I’m playing 20/20 hindsight here. But honestly we know it’s not. It’s a pretty obvious outcome - which is why I’m so baffled by Staj’s choice. Feel like there must be something we’re not privy too and I’m missing.

But waspish has to be close to the truth I guess. If there’s players you believe in on the bench, no way you don’t make a change surely?

. i'm not trying to disagree with what you're saying but you haven't mentioned it was not a regular league game

. couple all those ifs/buts/maybes with 'if we hold on ... we head to extra-time & penalties' ... and the opportunity to re-strategise clearly to the team as a whole. it adds a complicating dimensions regardless of faith in the bench

. of course if (and despite the ridiculousness of it as pointed out be AM) Simon was substituted after his first yellow - which most of the crowd seems to have wanted - everything would have been different

. Simon takes more blame than Staj in my book ... he essentially ruined the team strategy ... more than once
 

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