Brisbane Roar skipper and Qantas Socceroo stalwart Craig Moore has been released from his contract by the Hyundai A-League club.
Brisbane Roar skipper and Qantas Socceroo stalwart Craig Moore has been released from his contract by the Hyundai A-League club.
Moore had always favoured a loan move away from the Roar to a European club in order to ramp-up his preparations for the 2010 World Cup, but a statement released by the club on Thursday indicates that Moore has severed ties completely with the club that brought him back to Australia from Newcastle United.
“During discussions with Craig over the past eight weeks he made it clear he was unhappy working under Ange Postecoglou at the club,” chief executive Peter McLennan said.
“On at least two occasions during that time Craig issued me with the ultimatum that either Ange went or he went.”
“Clearly over recent weeks the club has begun to move in a new and exciting direction and the bottom line is that no individual is bigger than the club.”
Moore has had numerous disagreements with Postecoglou since he took over the job after Frank Farina was ousted in October, most of them seemingly involving personnel issues with Postecoglou quickly moving on Moore allies Charlie Miller and Liam Reddy.
“It is regrettable Craig won’t be a part of what we believe will be a bright future,” McLennan said.
“We have complete faith in what Ange is seeking to achieve at the club and he has everyone’s full support.”
“As a club we have always maintained we would support Craig’s ambitions in regards to the World Cup, the only difference in his departure is we had hoped he would return following the tournament.”
“We thank Craig for his contribution to the Roar and wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours.”
“Like every Australian football fan we hope he has an outstanding World Cup in South Africa.”
Moore’s release may pave the way for a more permanent move to Scottish club St Johnstone, which had already indicated its willingness to take Moore on a loan deal.
