Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka insists he has no ill-feeling towards departed Alex Brosque and hopes the Socceroos striker will return to the club in the future.
Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka insists he has no ill-feeling towards departed Alex Brosque and hopes the Socceroos striker will return to the club in the future.
The Sky Blues were left fuming late last week when they were forced to sell arguably the most important asset on a lucrative deal to Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse.
The club are adamant Shimizu acted inappropriately in enticing the 27-year-old to quit the Hyundai A-League champions.
Sydney believe club representatives from Japan met Brosque in recent weeks to offer him a contract, which is illegal under FIFA law, which states personal terms can only be discussed after a transfer fee has been agreed between the two clubs.
The whole situation has left a sour taste in the mouths of everyone at the Sky Blues, who are considering legal action against the Japanese club.
Speaking for the first time about the controversy on Friday, Lavicka admitted Brosque would be missed at the club but understands his desire to move on and test himself overseas.
“Of course it’s a big loss because Alex was one of the key attacking players in our squad,” the Sydney boss said.
“But this was a great chance for him to go overseas and to pick up another new experience for him.”
“He’s a nice boy and I truly believe that when he’s finished he’ll come back and continue to play for Sydney FC.”
“As a coach I’m upset because we’re missing one of the best players in the squad but this is a chance for him to get another experience and step forward. But as a person I’m wishing him all the best.”
Sydney midfielder Stuart Musialik added: “Missing Brosquey is a massive loss for us but as mates, which we are with him, you’ve got to look at it from his point of view.”
“It’s definitely the best thing for him and his family and we fully support him taking that opportunity.”
The main thing on the Sydney squad’s mind at the moment is keeping their impressive run of form going while their finals hopes are still alive.
The Sky Blues are unbeaten in their last five matches and still believe they can sneak into the last playoff spot if they win their last three matches, starting with the trip to Newcastle on Sunday.
“We know we’ve just got to do our side of the bargain and rely on results to go our way,” Musialik said.
“All we can do is keep doing what we’ve done (since the start of) this year, we’ve been playing well and getting results.”
“It would be better if the ball was in our court but we’ve got nothing to lose.
“We are coming off some good form since after Christmas, everything’s in our favour to get the three wins, it’s just up to us to go out and do it.”
While Sydney is on fire at the moment, the Jets are struggling having lost four matches in a row and are decimated by injuries and suspensions.
But Lavicka said his team is bracing themselves for another tough encounter with the Jets who are also vying for the last spot in the top six.
“Every team has a problem in this moment because it’s late in the season,” he said.
“Right now it’s all about character, working hard and team unity.”
“We’re playing teams that are fighting to make the finals and it’s always hard.”
Sydney striker Mark Bridge trained with the squad on Friday but is unlikely to make his return from a stomach injury in time for Sunday’s clash at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
