Family first as Verbeek prepares for Adelaide exit

Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek will thrash out his future in face-to-face talks with chairman Piet van der Pol this afternoon - and an imminent and permanent return to the Netherlands is a distinct possibility.

Former Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek

Former Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek Source: Getty Images

Though the Dutchman, 57, has a year remaining on his Reds contract, his wages have been frozen as a consequence of the coronavirus cash crunch and he has learned commercial flights to Holland cease in mid-April.

It’s a scenario which effectively leaves Verbeek, and his wife and young daughter, marooned in Australia with no income.

Whilst concerned for the welfare of his players - all of whom have been stood down without pay while the A-League remains in hiatus - Verbeek, too, is feeling abandoned.

“The club can’t give me any information about next season, or the coming three weeks,” Verbeek said.

“I don’t know what to do. We’ve been stood down by letter and I have no income.

“As a foreigner I don’t qualify for any of the government benefits (JobSeeker payment) which the Australian trainers and players can possibly get.

“So I’m out of support from the club and the government.”

He said a decision on whether to exit Adelaide - a move which would likely bring an abrupt end to his tenure - would be determined on family grounds.

“I have a wife and daughter to think about,” he added. “Their health, and them not having to worry anymore, are what’s most important.

“In Holland, they have a lot of family support. Here we don’t know many people - and we’re alone. With no income it’s hard. There’s too much uncertainty.

“If a lockdown comes in Australia - will it be one month or three or four? That would mean I wouldn’t be able to go to Holland anymore and you don’t have an income here. That’s a problem.

“The commercial flights are open until April 15 and then they stop. That’s the message we’ve been getting. 

“I also don’t know if Holland is going to also get a total lockdown.

“Of course (in this situation) I want to go back to my family and my country.”

Verbeek said he was “surprised” at his treatment by the club and it’s likely his discussions with compatriot van der Pol will be frank and to the point.

“I blame the club because they don’t communicate - it’s not (football director) Bruce Djite or (CEO) Nathan Kosmina - it’s the owner,” he added.

“They say there’s no money - but there has to be some, otherwise you couldn’t go on with the competition. It doesn’t seem right.

“There is still the possibility to play five games in a few weeks to end the competition (should it resume on April 22).

“We give the players training programs and talk with them - I’m still working but I don’t get a salary.

“The problem is the PFA are fighting for the players. They don’t agree with what the club has done to hide behind a law in Australia that you can stand down the salary when you don’t work.

“The players say they still have to work by taking on home training programs to hopefully start the league again in a few weeks.”


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3 min read
Published 4 April 2020 1:14pm
By Dave Lewis


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