Kalac calls on A-League clubs to sign 'unbelievable' Valverde

Former Socceroos and AC Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac has called on A-League clubs to do everything in their power to bring former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde to Australia.

Kalac

Zeljko Kalac in action for AC Milan in 2008 Source: Getty Images

The renowned Spanish manager stunned the football world last week with a shock comment about where his next job in football could be saying: 'People ask me sometimes, 'How about the Premier League?', and I say, 'Well actually I'd like to go to Australia'.

Whether the Ex-Barca manager was being serious or not, UEFA Champions League winner Kalac believes A-League clubs shouldn't second guess the La Liga title winner's words and offer him a contract.

"What an unbelievable signing Valverde would be for any A-League club," Kalac said.

"I don't think we need to sign foreign coaches unless the foreign coaches can bring something head and shoulders above what an Australian can, but this is one where you go 'do you want please come and help us'.

"It would be an incredible coup for the league and for football in this country to get someone of Valverde's standard involved in the national competition."

Kalac, who has been a goalkeeping coach at Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City, as well as Turkish outfit Karabukspor, believes the A-League should look to bring in more high profile coaches like Valverde as their impact on Australian football can be far reaching and is about more than just winning league titles.

The A-League's history of signing little known foreign managers has held back the competition, according to the outspoken former shot-stopper who said the success of Melbourne City's french coach Erick Mombaerts is proof why more big name gaffers need to be lured down under.

"The A-League is usually getting second and third tier foreign coaches, where the likes of Mombaerts are the upper echelon," Kalac said

"These guys at this top level bring them in but those second and third tier foreign coaches should just stay in their own country.

"Mombaerts is an asset because he is actually giving back to the club with his knowledge and is making the place better in the long term

"When these types of coaches want to come to Australia we need to do what we can to get them here because we can learn so much from them."

Kalac singled out the Western Sydney Wanderers, who are without a permanent coach after the sacking of Markus Babbel, as the ideal landing spot for Valverde if he were to make an unlikely move to the A-League

"In my view he has to go to the Wanderers. The Wanderers would be the perfect fit for Valverde," he said

"Give him a few years and he'll have them playing an unbelievable brand of football.

"Most importantly, he would be able to completely revolutionise the structure at the club with his contributions being felt long into the future."


Share
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
3 min read
Published 20 February 2020 2:30pm
By Nick Houghton


Share this with family and friends