Departing Wanderers stars Romeo Castelen, Andreu and Alberto have hailed the influence of coach Tony Popovic as they reflected on their time at the club.
Western Sydney announced this week that Andreu, Romeo Castelen, Alberto, Federico Piovaccari, Matt Sim and Golgol Mebrahtu have not had their contracts extended.
Transfer news: Wanderers announce player exits
While Andreu and Alberto leave Wanderland after just one season under Tony Popovic, the Spanish pair were full of praise for Western Sydney’s coach, who led them to the Hyundai A-League grand final.
It was the third time in their four seasons of existence the club has made the title decider but their wait to lift the championship trophy will go on after they were beaten 3-1 at Adelaide Oval.
Midfielder Andreu described his season in Red & Black as the best of his career and claims other Hyundai A-League teams fear playing at Pirtek Stadium.
“The atmosphere you feel around Western Sydney Wanderers is that you’re a winner,” Andreu said.
“We can see that every squad that comes to play against us at Pirtek – they feel a bit of fear.”
Castelen, who won the AFC Champions League with the Wanderers in 2014, hailed Popovic’s achievement of taking the club from second last to second in the A-League in the space of a year.
“Winning the Asian Champions League and then in the domestic league coming second last, and then to have a season like this, with a lot of new players and playing staff, it’s actually incredible,” the Dutch winger said.
“Normally it takes a lot of time to gel and create a system and playing style all the players buy into.”
Castelen departs Western Sydney after two seasons, with 44 A-League games under his belt and nine goals.
Andreu played 27 games, scoring three goals in 2015-16, while Alberto made 23 appearances for one goal.
With Castelen, Andreu, Alberto and Piovaccari on their way out the door, Popovic has four import spots available for the 2016-17 season.
