‘John’s got ambitions’: Could Aloisi coach the Socceroos?
Western United bosses will do everything they can to tie up John Aloisi to a contract extension to stop him being poached by a local rival, an overseas club – or even the national team.
The A-League championship-winning coach, an iconic former Socceroos striker, made it clear that the nation’s top job is something he would be keen on, if not right now then definitely in the future.
John Aloisi savours that championship winning feeling.Credit:Getty Images
“I will be lying to say that I wouldn’t want to coach the national team because I would love to. That’s the pinnacle for a player or a coach,” he said when quizzed at a celebration in the western suburbs to mark the club’s 2-0 A-League grand final win Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
“Whether they [the FA] would even approach me I don’t know, I am not even thinking about that at the moment.
“I have never shied away from the fact that I want to get to the very top as a coach. I am hopeful that one day I am going to be good enough that I will be able to go to another level overseas.
“But at the moment I am staying in Australia and would love to stay with Western United.”
Western United celebrate their Grand Final triumphCredit:Getty Australia
Western chief executive Chris Pehlivanis says the club would never stand in Aloisi’s way if he wanted to prove himself at higher level.
“John’s got ambitions and I want to help him as well. If those ambitions are to be the Socceroos coach or go overseas, then we know our place in football. Our place is to be a pathway for players and coaches to fulfil their dreams,” Pehlivanis said.
“I need to understand what John’s vision is. There is no point in signing a five-year deal if in two years he wants to be the Socceroos coach or overseas.
“But I want to help because then we are fulfilling our job.”
The national team plays a crucial World Cup qualifier against the UAE in Doha early morning on June 8 (AEST) and if they lose the Socceroos won’t be going to Qatar in November – and current boss Graham Arnold will be out of the job.
The Asian Cup is due to take place in 12 months’ time and as a championship-winning coach Aloisi, alongside the likes of Tony Popovic and Kevin Muscat, would be considered a viable candidate should the FA opt for another local rather than a foreigner.
Aloisi’s former Socceroos teammate Steve Horvat was one of Western’s founders and is on the board of the new champions. He says the club is ambitious for its coach, and would let him go with their blessing if a high-level offer came his way.
“We knew coming in that John is a very ambitious coach,” Horvat said.
“I don’t think he is settled on winning Australian titles. He has his sights set on the likes of what Ange [Postecoglou, who has won the Scottish League with Celtic] is doing.
Kevin Muscat and Tony Popovic could be candidates to be next Socceroos bossCredit:Getty
“We will never hold back players, coaches or people that want to go to the next level.”
The new champions will still not have a home ground next season and are negotiating to play another season either at AAMI Park or Lakeside, the home of NPL club South Melbourne.
Pehlivanis says the new training venue and headquarters at Tarneit will be ready for the 2023-24 campaign. Western are looking to build capacity for up to 8000 spectators, so it could be a home ground for several games before their planned main stadium is constructed.
He also praised Essendon’s Hangar precinct as the club’s current training venue, saying its facilities had been crucial in cementing the squad for the title-winning campaign.
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