A year can be a long time in the life of a football coach. Just ask Claudio Ranieri or Guillermo Amor, both very likeable coaches who endeared themselves to fans of Leicester City and Adelaide United respectively after steering these clubs to league titles last season. But the vagaries of football are such that neither of these two excellent coaches are still with those clubs, following disappointing follow-up seasons.
Adelaide’s Amor confirmed his departure last Wednesday following Reds 1-0 defeat at Hindmarsh to Jiangsu Sainty in the AFC Champions League, a match which proved to be his swansong.
The highly regarded ex-Barcelona player and former Spanish International leaves after three years at the Reds, firstly as a technical director and then last season in his first season as a senior coach, during which he led the Reds to the Premier’s Plate and a first ever A-League title.
This season, however, the team was hamstrung by the loss of players in the off-season, and injuries to key players, and unable to overcome a very slow start, finishing in 7th spot on the table.
Meanwhile speculation is mounting surrounding the identity of Amor’s replacement with Adelaide CEO Grant Meyer confirming that the club has made an offer to former Argentine goal-scoring ace Gabriel Battistuta.
Meyer told News Limited, “We can’t sit on our hands. We’re chasing a suitable replacement after Guillermo Armor (who) has all the respect and goes out on his own terms. With Battistuta, an offer has been made but there is also a plan A, B, and C.”
The 48-year-old Battistuta scored more than 200 goals for Serie A Club Fiorentina and 54 goals for Argentina earning him the nickname ‘Battigol’.
Although he apparently earned his coaching badges in Argentina, he doesn’t appear to have an extensive coaching history, although he is reputedly a keen golfer.
Another prolific goal scorer, has also been spoken of as a contender for the Reds job. Damien Mori may be a strong contender should the bid for Battistuta fall over. Mori has several years coaching experience in the South Australian NPL with Adelaide City.
Meanwhile speculation continues to surround the next coach of Melbourne City. Guillermo Amor may relish the chance to coach City with the prospect of City’s extra resources at his disposal and the chance to continue coaching in the A-League.
Newcastle Jets have decided against appointing a foreign coach to replace Mark Jones, opting instead for a safe pair of hands in former Melbourne Victory coach and Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick.