Flawed recruitment cost Aloisi, says ex-Roar boss Bleiberg

John Aloisi paid the ultimate price for assembling a disjointed squad at Brisbane Roar, according to the club’s inaugural coach Miron Bleiberg.

Former Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg Source: Getty Images

While commending Aloisi’s “bravery” in calling it quits, Bleiberg - who was in charge of the club for two-and-half years - also believes a staleness had enveloped the team.

Aloisi’s tenure stretched four-and-a-half years before his shock decision to resign on Friday - just a day before the A-League clash against Sydney FC.

While the writing may have been on the wall for Aloisi with Brisbane languishing ninth on the ladder with a single win from nine games, Bleiberg stated: “It’s a very brave decision to resign.

“It’s not like in other countries where you have about 100 professional clubs to go to, there are currently only 10 in Australia.

“Choices on where to next are very limited, it’s a tough gig to find a club.

“We don’t know the story behind it but he says he did it for the sake of the club and couldn’t help them anymore. It’s a big risk.”

While insisting the Roar were trying to play the right way under Aloisi, Bleiberg - who also led the now-defunct Gold Coast United from 2009-12 - said a lop-sided line-up proved his undoing.

“They’ve been playing an attractive style but unfortunately for Aloisi they’ve been leaking goals,” Bleiberg added.

“Avraam Papadopoulos is a good defender but (at 34) isn’t getting any better with the years. Luke Devere is injured, Daniel Bowles is half centre-back and half full-back and Jacob Pepper is a converted midfielder. 

“If you compare that to other top teams like Perth Glory, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory, they have an abundance of good defenders. 

“The Roar have been left behind in that department and have suffered the consequences.

“In midfield you have Alex Lopez, Thomas Kristensen and Matt McKay. All three are very good but none are super physical and none of them are a natural number 10. They are all what could be called 50-50 midfielders. 

“None are goalscorers either and they are too similar. There’s something missing in midfield.”

Citing the example of Jose Mourinho and the third season syndrome, Bleiberg, who was axed by the Roar midway through his second season in 2007 to pave the way for Frank Farina, is convinced coaches often fall into the trap of embracing a comfort zone, rather than a new challenge.

“It’s happened to a lot of coaches over the years, and a lot with Mourinho (at Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid),” he added.

“Things can go stale between a club, its players and the coach after three years, and sometimes less.

“Mourinho is the latest example of that at Manchester United. Claudio Ranieri was sacked by Leicester a year after winning the Premier League title. 

“Aloisi was at the Roar nearly five years. I would advise any young coach not to get into a comfort zone anywhere and try and embrace fresh challenges when they arise, especially after two seasons or more at the same club.

“I know, though, it’s not so easy in the A-League with the lack of opportunities.”

While he has no desire to reclaim his former job, Bleiberg, 63, believes the Roar should widen the scope of their hunt for Aloisi’s replacement to include ex-NSL names like Berti Mariani, Nick Theodorakopoulos and Branko Culina.

“In the A-League, you’re considered done if you’re over 55,” he said. “What’s wrong with an elder statesman coach?

“In society people turn to their elders for advice. In the Premier League you have over 60-year-olds like Ranieri, Manuel Pellegrini and Roy Hodgson.”