Coyne's cruel contract clause

The former Perth defender, who joined Sydney seven months ago after Glory coach Ian Ferguson declined to give him the one game which would have secured another season with the club, now faces the same fate.

That led to a bitter parting of the ways and Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton confirmed that a similar scenario could be set to play itself out with Sky Blues out-going coach Vitezslav Lavicka opting for converted midfielder Rhyan Grant ahead of Coyne, 31, in the right-back role.

Melton, who was not at the club when the 30-year-old Coyne deal was struck last May, admitted the terms of the contract were harsh.

"The deal has an 80 per cent of matches clause in it and I don’t agree with those sort of contracts. It’s an unfortunate situation, especially after what the poor bloke went though at Perth Glory.

"Those types of contracts are very unfair and can breed all sorts of behaviours. It’s a pity that the case but I wasn’t at the club when the contract was signed.

"It’s a matter of Jamie trying to win his way back into the team but right now Rhyan Grant is the form right back … blind Freddie can see that.

"Whether or not Jamie forces his way back in the team or not is something for the coaching staff.

"He has a young family and is a very good bloke and exceptional in the community with the work he does on behalf of the club.

"But what happens, happens.

"There are still eight games to go plus finals. He has only been out of favour for the last three matches, so who knows what will happen.

"I can say though I would never negotiate this type of a contract with a player … it’s quite brutal. As soon as I saw that clause in the contract I thought ‘poor bastard’ … what happens if he gets injured or his form dips.

"In that case he would have every right to be bitter against the world. It’s all about the fickle finger of fate.

"When In saw the trigger clause my heart dropped … you do feel accountable for those things.

"The reality is that he could be let go …. That’s up to the coach working with the football director Gary Cole."

Coyne, who remains on the outer for Sunday’s visit to the Sydney Football Stadium of Newcastle Jets, has made 14 starts this season, scoring in round three against Adelaide United.