Without the threat of relegation and the financial hardship that follows, A-League clubs have fewer reasons to sack their coaches with no penalties or restrictions placed on sides which finish outside the top six in Australia’s premier football competition.
With all the weight of expectation placed on the coaches of football teams around the world it is often said that the footballing world can be an unforgiving business.
The English Premier League this season has been a revolving door for managers with eight new managerial appointments to date as each club tries to avoid the prospect of relegation.
While the EPL may be renowned for its managerial merry go round it is worth noting that no coach has been sacked in the A-League this year.
Despite sitting in last place on the A-League ladder Wellington Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic remains at the club with only four wins to date in his maiden campaign.
After last season’s seventh placed finish the Phoenix would have been expected to progress this season and push for a place in the top six. Sitting at the foot of the table is well below the expectations of the New Zealand based outfit and Kalezic is fortunate to still be in charge of the struggling outfit.
However Perth Glory’s Kenny Lowe and Central Coast Mariners’ Paul Okon are two prime candidates for being dismissed based on their team’s form this season. Glory have struggled for consistency this campaign and endured a five-game losing streak recently which began with a 6-0 thrashing at the home of Sydney FC.
Since taking charge of Perth Lowe’s average win percentage stands at 40.
16% however his side’s thirteen losses this campaign have seen him win only a third of his matches, dipping below his overall average.
While Lowe’s record this season may not look good on paper his coaching colleague Okon has the equal worst winning percentage this season alongside Kalezic.
The Mariners coach has managed just four victories this season and ten in total throughout his spell with Central Coast. Their most recent 1-0 win over Wellington was their first victory in ten matches against a more than average Phoenix outfit which failed to place the Mariners under any serious pressure.
With 10 victories from 48 matches and with an overall win percentage of just over 20%, Okon should be fearing for his job but due to the structure of the A-League there is no incentive to part ways with Okon while the club are still under the belief that he can turn their fortunes around.
Until the introduction of relegation into Australian football, A-League clubs may as well provide opportunities to up and coming coaches from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across Australia and provide them with the chance to improve in a stable coaching environment.
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