Luciano Trani loves football. Not in the way that you and I love the game. His passion flows a lot deeper than that.
This is the man whose wife Melinda endured countless dinner-time tactics sessions, as he used salt and pepper shakers to demonstrate attacking or defensive formations.
The man who fellow assistant-coach Jonathan Gould joked he tried to avoid rooming with on away trips because he'd be kept awake long into the night with theories on how to break down or repel Phoenix's next A-League opponents.
The man who voluntarily ran training sessions for local club players, leaving them with a renewed vigour and appreciation for the game.
He was always first onto the grass on match-days, meticulously arranging cones for the warm-up. On the bench during matches, his ever-present clipboard was constantly scribbled upon as he watched the individual battles within the game unfolding in front of him.
Thanks to Trani's metronomic study of opposition teams, each Phoenix player knew they'd be armed with every possible scrap of information which might help against their direct adversary. Was an opponent more likely to go down the line or cut inside? How many touches would he typically take in possession of the football? And was he likely to track a runner in the last 10 minutes of a match?
All of this data was captured and stored by Trani in order to give Phoenix any kind of advantage. Even on the plane home from Adelaide after their elimination from this season's finals series, Trani pored over his laptop, completing analysis of the match which, it has transpired, was his last with the club.
Often single-minded focus of this type can manifest itself into other, less desirable qualities but Trani was the nicest bloke you'd ever hope to meet. Unfailingly friendly, he'd take the time to chat with fans, the media or innocent bystanders and you always felt the corners of your mouth turning up in his company.
It's impossible to begrudge his return to Australia given the trauma his family has recently suffered. The loss of his mother and subsequent grieving which has brought illness upon his father have given Trani only one real choice. And living apart from your wife and family can only be endured for so long.
Trani has had a massive impact on Phoenix and anecdotally, his exit has been met with dismay by the players. They understand the reasons, but wonder where they'll find someone else with such a precise understanding of the subtle nuances of the game of football.
The answer is that they won't. Luciano Trani is one of a kind, and his unique and rare combination of qualities can't be replicated and won't be easy to replace. Of course, Phoenix will recruit the position vacated by him, but it'll be an almost impossible act to follow.
Thanks for everything Luch. Phoenix is the poorer for your departure.
