New coaches in A-League of their own
Sydney FC coach John Kosmina gestures during a training session.
The ‘new coach effect’ is in full swing in the A-League, but can Adelaide’s John Kosmina or Melbourne Victory’s Jim Magilton really turn either side into a finals force this season?
It hardly seemed a surprise the A-League’s latest coaching appointments walked away with a share of the spoils when their sides drew 1-1 at AAMI Park on Friday night.
How often do we see it in world sport? Struggling team replaces its coach mid-season resulting in a drastic turn-around in form and a winning or unbeaten run of games.
Pundits have long debated the ‘new coach effect’ – universities have even completed studies on it. Whatever reasons are behind it, it’s become a significant factor for punters to consider.
Kosmina’s impact since being appointed caretaker coach in place of the sacked Rini Coolen is clear to see.
The Reds are five games unbeaten and suddenly find themselves on the cusp of the top six having languished at the foot of the ladder for much of the season.
Ring any bells? Kosmina evoked a similar response when he was appointed Branko Culina’s replacement at Sydney FC during the 2007/2008 A-League season as the Sky Blues went six games unbeaten to resurrect their season.
But while Kosmina’s ability to put the fire back in the belly of struggling teams is clear to see, you have to wonder if the honeymoon will soon wear off.
Over time, Kosmina’s former stints with Adelaide and Sydney were marred by inconsistency and sometimes controversy. And his arrival can’t mask the fact the Reds are badly missing departed 2010/11 A-League player of the year Marcos Flores and injured defender Cassio.
While Kosmina’s arrival has made Adelaide an attractive short-term prospect, you can probably forget about them as a championship force.
The Victory, though, are a much more intriguing long-term prospect under Magilton.
The former Queens Park Rangers and Ipswich boss’s coaching history could also be considered patchy and controversial, but he is a passionate man-manager capable of implementing an attractive and effective style of football.
The big advantage for Magilton is he has arguably the A-League’s best roster at his disposal. The star-studded line-up lacked direction and cohesion at times under Mehmet Durakovic.
But if Magilton can get things right quickly, and the ‘new coach effect’ kicks in for the likes of Harry Kewell, Carlos Hernandez and Archie Thompson, expect to see the Victory right in the thick of things come April.
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