Retre played 90 minutes as a right-back in Sydney’s 1-0 away win over Melbourne Victory in their first game of the season on Saturday night.

After the game Arnold said he always liked Retre and that he was the “buy of the year already” adding he was unsure why he did not play more at his former club Melbourne City.

Retre played 53 games and scored one goal in his five-year stint at City before being released in June 2017.

But now the 24-year-old is loving life in Sydney and wants to repay the faith Arnold has shown in him.

“It was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to the football club - to have a renowned coach in the A-League that’s won championships,” Retre told FourFourTwo.

“He’s proven that he’s made quality Australian youngsters and coached at international level. Proof is in the pudding really, I’m just really happy to be a part of it and since he has come to the club he has done nothing but very good things. 

“Individually he didn’t speak to a lot of players after the game, he just said ‘well done on the effort’ to all the boys and now we move on tomorrow.

“The weather is a lot funnier in Sydney than it is in Melbourne I’m really enjoying the beaches, the life and the football life is really good. We’re having a good run in the FFA Cup and at the moment it’s happy days.”

Retre said he had no bitter feelings towards City and always believed he would find a new club.

“I wasn’t worried (about finding another A-League team), just more-so trying to have a new change and start in my career,” he said.

“Sydney has been the place for that, so I didn’t think about it too much to be honest.

“I’m not a person who holds grudges against other clubs or where I worked previously, I have nothing but good things to say about the club, I enjoyed my time at City, now I’m enjoying my time at Sydney and that’s where all my focus is at.”

Retre training in his Melbourne City days

The Sky Blues take on NPLVIC side South Melbourne away on Wednesday night with the team remaining in Melbourne following Saturday night’s Big Blue win.

South had a day-off on Tuesday and had their final preparations on Monday night.

Sydney trained at Lakeside Stadium on Tuesday and will have a light run around on game day instead of walking around the CBD.

Melbourne-born Retre has memories of South after spending time with Victorian clubs Northcote City, FFV NTC and Bentleigh Greens.

Retre anticipated the hunger his team has after falling short in the FFA Cup Final last year to his former side would come to the fore.

“Everyone is fit and healthy, it’s important because we do have a long pre-season and it’s not always easy to be physically and mentally ready for Round 1,” Retre said.

“You have to be realistic as well, maybe we’re a little bit underdone after the game but we’re going to lift another gear and we want to go all the way and win championships. The club is ambitious and we’re going to take that step on Wednesday.

“I remember I spent one or two seasons in the NPL as a younger boy and they’ve always had that good history behind them playing in the NSL so they’re going to be a good side.

“We’re not that focused on whoever we play, we’re just worried about what we do in house and we’ll have to put on a good performance.”