Kurz was key to Jakobsen move

Marco Kurz was linked to an off-season move to Sydney FC after he steered Adelaide in the Hyundai A-League finals.

His remaining at Adelaide United has proved the key ingredient to the club signing Michael Jakobsen on a two-year deal.

The former Danish international joined the club after two seasons with Melbourne City, and he told Omnisport that Kurz was key if they wanted his services.

“That was one of my questions to the club – if he was going to stay and he is so I was very happy with that,” said Jakobsen.

“There have been a lot of changes here in the A-League with coaches so I was eager to know if he was going to stay because I’ve only heard positives about him, also from Johan [Absalonsen], he was very positive about him.

Kurz is yet to win any titles as a manager but after a solid debut season with Adelaide, there is a sense of cautious optimism around the Reds in 2018-19.

Jakobsen won just one title with Melbourne City, the 2016 FFA Cup, and says he’s confident Adelaide will come together under Kurz.

“It’s always important that you have a coach that the players like and hopefully I’m going to like him as much as the players have done this year,” said Jakobsen.

“I always strive to improve, I want to do better and I want to win as much as possible here.”

Michael Jakobsen was excellent for City.