Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta issued a statement to the club’s members and fans following their 8-1 defeat to Melbourne City in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The defeat was the equal largest in competition history, which saw Roar fall out of the top six in their first game since former head coach Ross Aloisi departed the club for an overseas opportunity.
Assistant coach Luciano Trani has since stepped in as the side’s interim coach.
Patafta, confirmed in the statement, that the loss has sparked a “meticulous review” of their football department and will now be accelerating the appointment process to hire a permanent head coach, after initially stating Trani will helm the side until the end of the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
REACTION: ‘It just can’t happen’ – New Brisbane boss responds to 8-1 loss to Melbourne City
This is the statement, in full:
To our valued members and fans,
In the wake of last Thursday’s Isuzu UTE A Leagues match against Melbourne City, we stand before you with a clear message: the performance and result did not represent the essence of Brisbane Roar FC. Such outcomes are inexcusable and not representative of our club’s esteemed heritage.
The recent departure of our head coach has marked a significant period of transition for our team. While it’s a substantial change mid-season, we hold firm to the belief that it does not justify a shortfall in on-field performance. A meticulous review of our entire football department has been conducted to realign with the club’s values and objectives.
We are proud to convey that the off-field challenges which have long cast a shadow over our club are now largely a thing of the past. The new management’s six-month tenure has been characterised by a commitment to stabilising and fortifying Brisbane Roar’s foundations. We now find ourselves in a significantly healthier and more formidable position than when we began—a testament to the resilience and dedication of everyone at the club.
With a strong foundation beneath us, we also continue to focus on enhancing our on-field performances. Our pursuit of high-performance is unwavering, and the initial signs have been promising this season, with the team sitting just 6 points from the top of the table as we enter the new year.
However, last Thursday’s match has necessitated swift and decisive action. To that end, we are accelerating our appointment process for a new A-League Men’s head coach. The selection has been thorough, considering the merits of both domestic and international candidates since the departure of our former head coach. We will be making an announcement imminently.
As management, we continue to uphold and drive the highest of standards for this football club. We are immensely grateful for the support and patience of our fans and members during this transformative period. Your passion and loyalty are what drive us toward our shared vision of excellence for Brisbane Roar FC.
