Adelaide United’s exit from the A-League finals race is set to spark some soul searching at the club with both coaches and players forced to assess their futures at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Coach Aurelio Vidmar has another two years to serve on his contract but has fielded several questions on job security this week, while it’s no secret Scott Jamieson is considering a move, possibly to a European club.
Vidmar accepted he’d receive criticism for the team’s disappointing year, but felt speculation about his position was media-driven.
“Everything gets scrutinised a lot more when you’re losing,” Vidmar said. “Although I’m young in the job, I still went into this job knowing and understanding how it is.”
“We are not excused from being challenged or being questioned, that’s part of it, that’s how you improve.”
“I don’t lose any sleep over it … but you also know one day it (being sacked) might happen.”
“But while I’m at a job, I’m trying to do everything possible to get the team to win and trying to get the team stronger.”
The media’s questioning is a slap in the face to Vidmar who, less than a year ago, was named FFA’s coach of the year.
“But the 42-year-old said he was aware the changing perception of his coaching was a part of professional sport.
“Nobody is owed any credit points, unfortunately this game is about results, at the top level it’s about results,” he said.
Jamieson has had a mixed season which has included a call-up to the Socceroos squad earlier this month, but also two stints in the National Youth League.
The 21-year-old said he wasn’t too disappointed about his input in 2009-10.
“Everyone keeps saying a lot of questions about my season and my form and to me personally it’s been OK without being outstanding,” he said.
Jamieson is now keen to further his career overseas but was reluctant to share his leads at this stage of the year.
“I’m here wearing and Adelaide United shirt, that’s the main thing. Right now I’m just concentrating on doing what I have to do for the team and the club,” he said.
“Everything in the future will take care of itself.”
Vidmar and Jamieson are not the only Reds under the spotlight with some of the club’s overseas players set to be left out of the Asian Champions League squad.
The Reds have Brazilian trio Cassio, Cristiano and Alemao and Lloyd Owusu on their books, but can only take two of them into the tournament.
A decision is set to be made in the coming days.
