A Mariners source has revealed that 34 year-old Reddy’s unwillingness to buy into the culture of the club, committed to attacking football under coach Tony Walmsley, has all but sealed his exit, and he won’t be welcomed back into the fold even though he remains contracted until May 2016.
Stand-in keeper Paul Izzo will take over between the sticks for Sunday's A-League match away to Melbourne City, with the door now firmly shutting on Reddy, who received a letter this week detailing the reasons for the club's actions, foremost of which was his “poor attitude”.
Reddy, who was handed a week-long ban during the off-season, is seen as dysfunctional presence in the dressing room by the club’s hierarchy which is seeking to steer the Mariners in a new direction.
“He’s not buying into what we are trying to create. These situations can become toxic and it’s not something the club can tolerate,” the source said.
“There has been a number of incidents during a period of time, and it is not down to one particular incident. It’s been a question of him being disrespectful towards the club.”
Reddy, who was dumped by Sydney FC in 2012 for being drunk on a flight, was given a fresh start by the Mariners, but the goodwill built up last season has quickly evaporated.
The 34 year-old was publicly critical of the club’s free-flowing, high-risk tactics employed during its 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar on Sunday, and it seems those comments may have sealed his fate.
“When you start the season with a young squad and you get a senior player who is vocal about what we are doing not being the right thing, then that has to be addressed,” the source said.
It’s understood that while Central Coast can’t cancel Reddy’s contract on the strength of his recent behavioural issues, the goalkeeper will now be free to leave or may be forced to train alone or with the Mariners National Youth League team in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) Chief Executive Adam Vivian said that the Mariners are in breach of its legal obligations to Reddy.
“Despite having been one of the Mariners’ most consistent and important players over the past few seasons, Liam was this week informed that he is no longer in the clubs plans,” Vivian said.
“In an attempt to force Liam to leave on terms suitable to the club, the Mariners have threatened him with the prospect of training alone and have issued him with a second written breach notice, despite never having received a first.
“If the club does not cease in its attempts to force Liam out of the Mariners and continues to disregard his contractual rights the PFA will not hesitate to take action.”
