Michael Valkanis played for three successful seasons under Kosmina at Adelaide United. He tells au.fourfourtwo.com that not only is “Kossie” a players' coach, but he's a people's man.

“They'll love him. He represents the common man. He's real blue collar... a working class man.”

Sydney's Cove in particular may be harder to win over, but as Valkanis says, “They hated him because they knew how successful he was.
"But now they've got him on their side, he'll represent everyone and they'll love having him there.

“What brings fans through the turnstiles? A winning team."

FC Chairman Andrew Kemeny was at pains to suggest yesterday that the appointment was not a “short term fix”. After four coaches in 56 A-League games, the basket-case club has stated its looking for stability in its coaching ranks.

“Kossie's the type of guy you can build a team around. He will build Sydney up to be even stronger.”

And the 31-year-old stopper, currently out injured, is in no doubt that Sydney's ordinary start to the A-League is about to change.

“As soon as I found out he'd got the job in Sydney, all of a sudden I thought a team that's had a few problems suddenly looks like a finals contender.”

So, what exactly is the Kosmina secret? “He's got an aura,” says Valkanis. “He's got that ability, that aura if you will, to get the best out of players the same way he did in Adelaide.

“He's a real players' coach. He got the best out of me, I mean, I made the Socceroos playing under him. It's credit to him.”

Valkanis became one of the oldest ever Socceroo debutants aged 31, against Kuwait in 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier.

“He can get the best out of all types of players – whether they are experienced or a younger up and comer. For the game, he's going to be fantastic and at Adelaide United, he did a great job. Under him we played finals football every year.”

Valkanis added: “I'd play on one leg for him.”

However, the Reds man has this caveat: “The way the A-League is going these days, it's becoming like Europe where the expectations are so high and if the results don't come, bang, it's easier to get rid of a coach then 22 players.”