Western Sydney coach Gary van Egmond says potential plans to bring current Sydney FC boss Ufuk Talay to the Wanderers were happening at a “higher level” and that he never expected to remain in charge of the club beyond this season.
News Corp Australia revealed earlier this week that Wanderers officials were set to offer Talay a multi-year deal to take charge current competition cellar dwellers ahead of the 2026-27 A-League, with discussions to soon take place between the Sky Blues boss and Western Sydney chairman Paul Lederer.
It can also be revealed that current Wanderers assistant coach and former A-League star Milos Ninkovic has his sights on becoming the club’s sporting director.
Van Egmond, who replaced the sacked Alen Stajcic in January, said the potential appointment of Talay was out of his “control”.
“That’s something that’s going on at a higher level,” the current Wanderers coach said ahead his side’s clash with Adelaide United at CommBank Stadium on Friday night.
“Whether that’s happening or not, it’s not something that I can control. That’s a decision to be made.”
As for his own future at the club after this season, van Egmond said talks were set to continue.
“It was pretty clear to me that I wasn’t going to be here (as coach next season) right from the outset, but I may hold another position within the club.” he said.
“There’s going to be ongoing discussions as we get closer to the end of the season, so we’ll see what happens.”
Regardless of the role he would occupy next season, van Egmond urged the club to retain the services of Scottish winger Ryan Fraser, who has been one of the A-League’s best players since joining the Wanderers in January from English Championship club Southampton.
In eight appearances for Western Sydney, 32-year-old Fraser has scored four goals and provided three assists.
“I’m sure like every other Wanderers fan would (feel), it would be terrific to gain his services again for next (season),” van Egmond said.
“I’m pretty sure that’s in good hands and people are having those discussions higher up.
“He’s proven his worth. He has been fantastic for us since coming in, whether it’s goal-scoring or whether it’s assisting in goals.
“The other part is the way in which he plays, and what type of player he is. Then you can build more players in and around that from the way in which you want to retain players here but also want to recruit.
“There are a lot of good things you can do in and around Ryan, but we’ve also got to make sure that we have the balance of the whole of the squad coming into the pre-season.
“To have a whole pre-season with that type of squad, that would lay the foundation for a great season.”
