JOHN Kosmina isn’t a bad coach. There are questions marks over if he’s a great coach, a good coach, or just an ordinary coach... But he’s not a bad coach.

Having developed in the role over a number of years, and taken a number of years to find success (since his first gig with the Newcastle Breakers in 1995), he’s had enough recent success to let us know that he’s by no means a failure.

Some may question his tactics, some may question his choice of playing personnel, and some may question his background... But let’s face it; you could say the same for pretty much every coach in the world.

There are very few coaches who consistently gain universal (or even majority) approval, and Kossie is no different. Over the course of this season, on varying occasions, I’ve been able to applaud some of his decisions and scratch my head at others – it’s part of being a football fan.

As our dismal season draws to a close (let’s face it, despite being in the hunt for the top four until round 20, this year has been awful), the inevitable calls of “Kossie Out!” come from numerous people from varying backgrounds.

Our good friends at News Ltd jumped on the bandwagon long ago, with articles insinuating Kosmina has been under pressure for some time. Numerous personalities across a number of fan forums are taking swings at Kossie, implying that his sacking is the best way for Sydney to move forward.

I’ll start by clarifying that I don’t agree. For me, as I wrote on this website some weeks ago, the sacking of another coach is not the answer. Kosmina must now be given full support of the club and it’s new owners over the off-season, and must be our coach for at least the first half of next season.

The coaching merry-go-round will only do more damage than good, and Kosmina has the runs on the board to indicate he can turn the club’s fortunes around and be back next season.

But that’s not to say that fans are not correct in some of their gripes. Amidst rubbish judgements of “I don’t like the way he sits in his chair” and “his record before AUFC isn’t good enough for us”, there are some real criticisms that have true value.

Kosmina has had a few key failings this season, however only two have been really detrimental to SFC as a whole. I see them as follows...

RECRUITMENT: Kosmina’s recruitment has been very hit and miss. Much has been
written about Aloisi, but he’s as much a Lowy signing as a Kossie signing.

Mark Bridge and Simon Colosimo were both virtually signed before Kossie stepped in to the club, but it’s safe to say that Bridge has been misused all year, often shunted in to a wing position that never should’ve been considered after it visibly hurt his last season at Newcastle.

Whilst Colosimo has been unlucky, what exactly was the point of signing Mitchell Prentice? Another central midfielder was not how that spot should have been filled, whilst other gaps were left open.

Most importantly, by the start of this season, gaping holes in the defence (both centrally and wide) formed the foundation for Sydney’s poor year. Relying on Tony Popovic (so far past it he would soon retire), Jacob Timpano (talented, but 45 minutes in the A-League since season one), and Iain Fyfe (consistently available to play, consistently unable to lead a defence), was a gamble that backfired spectacularly.

I will go on record as saying that one key central defender alone would have seen Sydney FC into fourth place this year, and for that Kossie can be judged.

MEDIA WORK: Kosmina has been awful in the media this year. Firstly due to his over-exuberant arrogance, but most importantly because he’s taken the idea of “protecting your players” way too far.

Tactics have seldom been Kosmina’s downfall this year, he’s inevitably been stuck with an overrated squad that has failed to pull its weight.

But in trying to protect them from the media, he has gone over the top and given the wrong impression to the thousands of fans out there, making it seem as though nothing is wrong.

We didn’t “batter” Perth at the SFS. I don’t think Kossie thinks we battered them either. In fact, more than a few squad members copped the hairdryer treatment on the back of that dismal performance (as well as a few others).

But by trying to protect his players and lying to the media like so, too many fans have gained the wrong impression that Kosmina genuinely thinks everything is OK. At a time when the media and the fans deserved a little honesty, Kosmina’s attempts to protect his players have gone overboard.

Next time, it might pay to let us know that Fyfe and co have let you down – we’d appreciate the honesty.

I should however point out that this problem is not just one of Kosmina, almost every A-League coach can be poor in the media. Last year’s Coach Of The Year, Gary Van Egmond, is consistently poor in the media, albeit in terms of chastising his players rather than protecting them.

Frank Farina is combustible, Ernie Merrick conceited and boring, and we mustn’t forget Nick Theodorakopolous digging his own grave by revealing Paul Okon’s sub-$100kpa salary to the media before a ball had been kicked in Season Two.

In light of this, media training is perhaps something all A-League clubs should consider for their coaches.

As we look ahead to 09/10, Kossie should be looking first and foremost to those two things.

Finalising the recruitment to ensure we can compete properly (three to four key roles are all that remain), and touching up on his own image to ensure he can carry us through the year with some respectability.

I am confident in his and the club’s ability to ensure the first happens, but the second one is an issue that remains to be resolved.