Western Sydney Wanderers made history in becoming the first Australian side to win the Asian Champions League one year ago. But their last A-League season has been a disaster with coach Tony Popovic blamed both off and on field for poor recruiting and poor team performances.
Good things come in threes and bad things come in threes. The Western Sydney Wanderers respect this motto as they made a deal for Alberto Aguilar, their fourth Spanish signing, from Segunda Division outfit SD Ponferradina. At 185cm and 81kg, the imposing defender come to boost a department weakened by the loss of Matthew Spiranovic to China. The 31-year-old joins countrymen Andreu, Dimas Delgado and the new assistant coach Andres Carrasco.
Although coach Tony Popovic strongly denied it, the feeling between Wanderers and the European country is undeniable. The A-League is smelling a Spanish flavour, once again, after the well-known successful influence Josep Gombau had in his time at Adelaide United. Andreu, Delgado and Aguilar all had extensive spells in Spain’s top tiers.
“I wouldn’t say it’s planned,” Popovic told Sydney Morning Herald.
That could be the truth. But the achievement Adelaide experienced under Gombau clearly raised some eyebrows. Alberto’s arrival brought the number of Spanish players in the competition to nine. The top divisions in Spain are some of the best in the world, consistently producing quality players and choaches, which A-League clubs have shown attitude in attracting to our shores. For the Wanderers, having Carrasco alongside Popovic could mean an attempt to install a Spanish-style football, as the new assistant coach spent 15 season coaching at La Masia, FC Barcelona’s famed youth academy, overseeing the likes of Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets.
A UEFA pro-licence holder, Carrasco also had a stint as assistant coach at Dinamo Tbilisi in Georgia. But his Barcelona background is obvious and remains. He quickly let his intentions to bring on his expertise be known, introducing a new Catalan-style kind of football, more focused on passing and ball retention. That is news for a Wanderers team that has been usually effective playing a defensively-oriented style which favoures counter-attacking. Despite the ACL success he enjoyed, Popovic’s coaching philosophy was hardly scrutinized during the tough 2014-15 campaign, and harsh criticism was drawn from supporters. So, the Board of Directors introduced a new, modern coach at Parramatta Stadium with clear Barcelona roots under his belt. Will we see the Wanderers try to dominate the game and dictate tempo, playing a more entertaining football style?
Obviously, at this stage we are too far away to know if this move will work, still early in the preseson, but the goal has set and it is very high. The new signings will be a key to answer this question. Pairing Andreu to Mitch Nichols seems to suggest a shift towards a more technical midfield, but other recruits are needed to made a complete overhaul. That said, signings aside, the most intriguing aspect of Carrasco’s arrival in Western Sydney’s locker room is philosophical. In fact, it will be interesting how Popovic and Carrasco will adjust to each other. Will Popovic re-invent his football thoughts according to his new Spanish assistant manager? Or will Carrasco be forced to compromise, adapting himself to his bosses coaching mind?
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
