The Hindmarsh boss was one of five A-League coaches to attend a meeting this week where the new structure was discussed ahead of its impending launch.

While shining lights such as Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite (the latter voted this season’s rising star at the Hyundai A-League awards on Wednesday) have dazzled effortlessly on the first team stage, Vidmar knows that not all youngsters can sparkle instantly.

The coach would much rather have the opportunity to see talented players progress in a smaller pond before throwing them in among the big fish of the professional league.

He said: “It’s going to take time but having a youth team as such and the extra players that makes available is a step forward.

“I honestly believe, and I’m sure most of the other coaches will tell you the same, that the first team is really to win championships and get results.

“The youth team is for development. You shouldn’t be using your first team as a development pathway.

“This new youth system gives us the best chance of getting the best local talent and bringing on those players.

"It could take two or three years but if you get one player through in that time then you’re doing your job and the system’s doing its job.

“I think when you look at Nathan and Bruce, they were two players already reasonably developed. However they still need nurturing and still do.

"It probably wouldn’t have hurt them if we’d had a youth league set up earlier. They’d probably have spent a bit of time there but also combined with training with the first team. They would benefit from both.

“I’m really looking forward to this getting started because then we can really knuckle down and introduce a regime where you can get players into a situation that you are in control of, getting into the habits you want and just having a greater say in bringing them on.”

As for more immediate challenges Vidmar is happy with preparations for the club’s opening Champions League game against Pohang Steelers on March 12.

He said: “Yeah, it’s pretty good. We’ve been working hard, we’ve another game against Melbourne Victory (United lost the first 2-1 earlier this week) and we’re pretty confident about the games ahead.

“We think we’re going in the right direction and we had a thorough review of what went right and wrong in the Champions League last year. Hopefully we can keep clear of injuries, give it our all and see where it takes us.”