Gary van Egmond will part ways with Western Sydney Wanderers after the wooden spooners’ final game of the season on Saturday night against Melbourne Victory.
While Ufuk Talay’s appointment as Western Sydney coach for next season was confirmed last month, current Wanderers mentor van Egmond had been expected to remain with the club, heading the academy in a technical director-type role.
However, van Egmond – who in January was appointed as coach for the rest of the season following the sacking of Alen Stajcic – revealed on Friday that he would be leaving the Wanderers.
The news comes a couple of weeks after Mal Impiombato’s appointment as Western Sydney’s football director.
“I won’t be with the club after this game (against Victory),” van Egmond said.
“It’s been my decision. I just don’t think it’s a good fit when there’s a head coach going back within the club.
“It can create more issues for the incumbent coaching staff. It’s much better that the people who come into the club feel a little bit more free in regards to the appointments that they need to make.
“I’ve explained to the club that I’m very much in a position to be a lending ear at times, if that’s what they want, but after this game, I won’t be at the Wanderers.
“Hindsight is wonderful and a week is a long time in football, let alone the three months that I’ve been here. Things change rapidly in the football world.
“I wish the Wanderers all the very best for the future years, and I’m glad I took the position.”
Under the tenure of the 60-year van Egmond – who guided Newcastle to the A-League title in 2008 – the Wanderers have lost seven of their 12 games and won only two.
“There have been a few controversial (refereeing) decisions, but that’s football. When things aren’t going so well, that usually occurs,” van Egmond.
“The defensive side of it has been a bit more of the Achilles heel.”
The Wanderers have conceded 41 goals in 25 games this season, with club captain and goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas dropped for last weekend’s 2-1 away loss to Wellington Phoenix.
Van Egmond said that Thomas would again be on the bench for the Anzac Day clash at CommBank Stadium, with Jordan Holmes to start for the second successive game.
“He (Holmes) has been terrific this year in regards to his training, his encouragement within the dressing-room … he’s well and truly on board with the whole of the group. He deserves to get some game time,” said van Egmond, who added that Thomas was supportive of Holmes.
“Every player wants to start … but (Thomas) is also mindful of the effort that Jordan has put in, and that’s also helped Lawrence during the year.
“He feels a lot of passion and commitment towards Jordan and he’s very pleased for Jordan.”
Van Egmond also confirmed that veteran New Zealand international Kosta Barbarouses would again be sidelined with a calf injury.
“We want to make sure that he gets every opportunity to be in a position to be ready for the World Cup, so we’re erring on the side of the caution in regards to this weekend,” the departing coach said.
