Kosmina favoured as Sydney FC coach - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Kosmina favoured as Sydney FC coach

By Philip Henderson and Adrian Warren 22/10/2007 07:50:10 PM Comments (0)

Sydney FC will this week appoint their fourth coach in little more than two seasons after sensationally sacking Branko Culina.

The A-League's most turbulent club added another instalment to the soap-opera of Drama FC after parting ways with their third manager in 18 months.

Former Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has been widely tipped to take over the reins, but chairman Andrew Kemeny claimed a replacement had yet to be approached.

It leaves Sydney without a coach and again in turmoil less than a week out from a derby clash with leaders Central Coast which could make or break their season.

Culina joined Pierre Littbarski and Terry Butcher on the Sydney scrap heap after being summoned to club headquarters on Monday afternoon.

He was given his marching orders after a one-hour meeting, with chairman Andrew Kemeny claiming the separation had been "amicable".

Culina emerged about an hour later to tell the awaiting media pack he had been "disappointed" with the decision which came just six months after he signed a two-year deal with the club.

"I've enjoyed my time at Sydney FC, it's unfortunate that it's ended up like this, but I take a lot from being involved in a club like this and (am) just grateful for the opportunity," Culina said.

Sydney have been a poster-child of instability both on and off the field since winning the inaugural A-League championship in 2005-06.

Not even halfway through season three, they are already on their fourth coach, third chief executive and third chairman.

Injuries and suspensions have been a major factor in their disappointing start to the season, but they have also been hampered by their own recruitment with the team lacking depth in key positions.

Culina had highlighted the club's lack of depth and balance in previous weeks, but when asked whether he had been given enough time and resources in the position, said: "That's not for me to comment on."

Sydney's 1-0 loss to Adelaide United on Saturday - their fourth defeat in six home games this season - appears to have been the final straw with the club's board acting swiftly.

Kemeny denied the axing was a knee-jerk reaction with FC winning just two of nine games this season to sit in sixth place, five points adrift of the top four.

Reports claimed Kosmina had already agreed to coach the club, but Kemeny said: "We don't have any coach. I can't tell you (when one will be appointed) but hopefully he'll be appointed soon."

Kosmina had not yet replied to calls from AAP.

The controversial former Socceroo was axed by Adelaide after their inglorious 6-0 grand final loss to Melbourne Victory in February, but has continued to serve as a regular member of the national set-up.

He was Graham Arnold's assistant during the Socceroos' Asian Cup campaign, and has also helped out with the Olyroos.

Arnold had also been linked with the Sydney job, as well as fellow former Socceroos David Mitchell, currently an assistant at Perth Glory, and Young Socceroos coach Steve O'Connor.

Culina was only appointed to the job fulltime in April after Sydney's promising start to their Asian Champions League campaign.

But he has been under mounting pressure in recent weeks as Sydney have struggled in the A-League.

Asked did he think he would coach again in the A-League, Culina said: "Time will tell."

German Littbarski guided Sydney to the inaugural A-League championship in 2005-06, but departed soon after when he turned down a reduced offer to re-sign.

His replacement, Englishman Butcher, was then dumped after just one-year of his two-year deal when Sydney finished fourth during a drama-filled second season.

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