Central Coast coach Phil Moss has moved to clear the air on the club’s decision not to re-sign injured playmaker Marcos Flores for next Hyundai A-League season.
Central Coast coach Phil Moss has moved to clear the air on the club’s decision not to re-sign injured playmaker Marcos Flores for next Hyundai A-League season.
A serious knee injury in January cut-short the Argentine’s season, with the club making the tough decision in March not to renew his contract beyond the end of the 2013/14 campaign.
The former Johnny Warren Medallist was angered by the Mariners’ stance and has accused the club of not showing enough faith in his ability to recover from a full knee reconstruction.
With Flores such a popular figure amongst Mariners supporters, Moss has revealed the reasons behind the decision to provide some clarity for the fans.
“The decision to let Marcos go was an extremely tough one,” Moss told www.footballaustralia.com.au on Saturday.
“Marcos asked for an early decision which is why I told him before the season was done, so it gave him a chance to look around for something else.
“The pure and simple fact was because he got injured I had to move to get a replacement number 10 in and in the end we found a player of Kim’s (Seung-yong) quality.
“We picked up Glen Trifiro from the state league who has done extremely well and we’ve got the best young up and coming number 10 out of the AIS, Anthony Kalik.
“For the balance of the squad I can’t justify having four number 10’s. That’s the pure and simple fact.”
With Kim, Trifiro and Kalik already secured on deals for next season, Moss conceded Flores’ unfortunate injury – and the form and ability of the other trio – forced his hand.
“The players that have come in have taken their opportunities with both hands and it really gave me no option in the end,” the Mariners boss said.
“It had nothing to do with my lack of belief in Marcos’ ability.
“He got injured on January 2 and I couldn’t afford to go the rest of the season without a specialist number 10.
“I never planned to go looking for another number 10 (in January) but he got injured so I had to try and find a replacement.”
Flores flies out of Australia on Sunday to continue his rehabilitation is his homeland in Argentina but hopes to return to the A-League with another club next season.
While aware the 28-year-old may have a point to prove to his former club if he returns, Moss hopes Flores and his talent is not lost to the Australian competition.
“I bear no hard feelings towards Marcos. He’s a great guy and is obviously hurting,” Moss said.
“These things happen in football and what he needs to realise is it’s a football decision, not a personal decision.
“I’ve got no doubt if he goes somewhere else in the A-League he’ll be affective. But unfortunately for the balance of our squad I just can’t justify four number 10’s in our squad.”
