Ange Postecoglou is far from happy with the timing of Luke DeVere’s departure to play in the South Korean K-League for Gyeongnam FC, but says the club wishes their centre-back all the best in his move.
Twenty-one-year-old DeVere, part of the Brisbane leadership group, will play in Brisbane’s Australia Day clash with the Wellington Phoenix, before flying out to take up a three-year deal.
DeVere’s transfer follows Reinaldo’s recent move to the Qatar Stars League, and with skipper Matt McKay on national duty and the loss of two home games due to the effect of floods on Suncorp Stadium, the competition leaders are having their credentials tested late in the season.
Postecoglou said the club had a policy of allowing players to pursue their goals, but admitted he would have preferred his star defender – on a three year contract at Brisbane – to see out the season.
“It’s not ideal. Obviously we want our young players to continue to develop, and sometimes they make a decision to go overseas, which is fair enough,” he said.
“Luke has done fantastic for us in the last couple of years, and particularly this year, and it would have been nice for him to be there right until the end. I think he would have got something out of that as well.”
“(Him staying until the end of the season) was my preference. As much as we want to develop players and do the best by them, our responsibility and obligation is to the club and as a coach that’s always my first priority, and the best thing for our club would have been for Luke to stay, because he’s played a big part in our year.”
“But once the decision is made you just move on, and we certainly have, and we’re rapped that he’s going to play Wednesday night and have a final game for us and our supporters as well.”
With Milan Susak a natural replacement in the heart of the defence, Postecoglou said the Roar would stick to their policy of selective recruiting.
“It would be great if we could (bring in a quality replacement), but the reality of it is that we’re at a stage in the season where there aren’t a lot of games left and I certainly don’t want to bring anyone in for the sake of it.”
“We’ve been very, very selective with the kind of players we’ve brought into the club and the last thing we want to do now is panic.”
“But I’m certainly looking for somebody to bring in, more from a depth point of view. We’re a little bit light on in defensive areas, so ideally we do want another central defender, and for next year certainly we’ll be looking for a top quality centre-back,” said Postecoglou.
