Melbourne City FC Men’s Head Coach, Aurelio Vidmar, has opened up on his coaching style and his expectations ahead of his inaugural match in charge.
Vidmar will take charge of his first match on Friday night, as City host Sydney FC in a crucial A-Leagues fixture under lights at AAMI Park.
Despite a strong AFC Champions League campaign, City are winless after the opening two rounds of the A-League Men’s competition.
Get your tickets to City v Sydney on Friday 3 November at AAMI Park, kick-off 7:45pm.
It’s a start that the new manager is determined to rectify.
“I’m going to give everything to get the team back to where it should be and that’s my responsibility,” Vidmar said.
“We need to get back to the top of the table and I think that’s what the DNA of this Club has been for many, many years.”
“You just have a look at the last four years, how successful the Club has been from their humble beginnings to where they are now. We’re in a bit of a tricky situation at the moment,” he added.
“We have a good spot in the Champions League but not a great performance over two games in the A-League, so we need to rectify that.”
Players and fans alike can expect a head coach who says it as it is, someone who won’t shy away from the difficult discussions.
“That’s probably one of my strengths, that I’m not too shy to say what I think,” Vidmar said. Sometimes to my detriment – but I’m really honest, and when there’s something to say, I say it.”
“I think the boys appreciate it. That way it’s clear, it’s open. Everyone knows where they’re sitting, so that’s why there’s no excuse.”
Since Vidmar’s appointment, it’s been a quick turnaround, but the message has remained clear.
“I’ve kept things really basic in terms of what we need to achieve, but we need to get back to what this Club was all about,” he explained.
“Their DNA was a possession-based team. All the things that this Club has been so successful in. Creating a lot chances, scoring a lot of chances.
“It probably hasn’t happened in the last couple of home games. So we need to get their confidence [up] and get ourselves back to what this club has been all about.”
City host Sydney FC on Friday 3 November at AAMI Park, kick-off 7:45pm. Get your tickets here.
