So often in sport there are single moments that change a player or a coach’s career. Many claim that Lee Martin’s winning goal in the FA Cup final replay of 1989/90 for Manchester United, that saw them defeat Crystal Palace, was the game that saved Alex Ferguson’s career at Old Trafford; something sources at the club have always denied, well they would wouldn’t they.
The question is will Melbourne Victory’s Pablo Contreras be the man who will ultimately saved Frank Farina’s managerial career at Sydney FC? It was the Chilean international’s rash challenge on Alessandro del Piero that saw Sydney awarded a penalty, that del Piero convertedto give ten-man Sydney a 3-2 lead, after minutes earlier losing their two-goal lead. The team managed to hang on and record an historic victory.
Time will tell whether the moves that had allegedly taken place in the background will now ever come to fruition. The word is the powers that be at Sydney FC did not expect their team to be victorious and had already made plans for a change in management. Farina was to be shown the door and his replacement was to be announced as inaugural Sydney FC captain and Fox Sports analyst Mark Rudan, who recently steered Sydney United to the New South Wales Premier League title as well as the inaugural National Premier Leagues title. He was to be assisted by marquee player Alessandro del Piero.
If Sydney FC fails to continue its winning ways this change may still happen, and Rudan may well become the clubs 8th full time coach in the clubs ninth season. Proof that the Sydney FC coaching position is becoming one of the hardest to hold down in the A-League.
Will that foul by Contreras be the one that changes the club’s and Farina’s fortunes? Time will tell, but it has certainly meant that there will be no change at the moment.
