Amor took us to another level: United players
When Adelaide United were down in the dumps, their first-year coach Guillermo Amor never wavered.
“From when we were in a bad spell to now, his attitude has never changed,” United’s Craig Goodwin said after the Reds captured the A-League championship with a 3-1 grand final victory against Western Sydney yesterday.
“He has always said the same message and that has been to believe in yourself and stick together. And obviously then the tactics come in to it”
“Credit to him … he has been fantastic for us. And as a coach, to win the double in your first season is something special.”
Amor, a Barcelona great as a player, had never coached a senior team before being talked into taking over as Adelaide coach when Josep Gombau unexpectedly quit last July.
The Spaniard, who was brought to Adelaide initially as a consultant and then a technical director by his Barcelona mate Gombau, wasn’t sure he wanted to coach.
But Adelaide hierarchy twisted his arm to take the role despite his initial reluctance.
Amor’s initiation was harsh: Adelaide were winless and in last spot after eight rounds.
But the softly-spoken Spaniard believed the tide would turn. And so it did, in tidal wave form, as United went on a stunning streak which led to the title.
After round eight, Adelaide lost just once in 21 matches, culminating in Sunday’s Adelaide Oval decider.
Adelaide captain Eugene Galekovic, asked to describe Amor’s influence, opted for one word: “Massive.”
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“He’s a champion of the game, isn’t he,” Galekovic said.
“He gained respect from the first minute he walked through the door because of what he has achieved.”
Those achievements included 37 caps for Spain, including World Cup and European Championship appearances.
And 421 appearances for Barcelona which featured three Copa del Rey titles; five league championships, two Cup Winner’s Cup titles and the 1992 Champions League Cup.
They’re feats which led to instant admiration from Adelaide players, said striker Bruce Djite.
“Amor is probably the most experienced coach in terms of big games as a player,” Djite said.
“Any other coach in the A-League can’t say `Champions League, this is how we did it’ or even tap into that experience, that knowledge that he has.”
“To have him here, he took us to another level, there’s no doubt about it because the trophies we’ve won now under him.”
The elated striker says he knew Adelaide United were on track to win the grand final when he saw youngster Bruce Kamau “rinsing” experienced Western Sydney defender Scott Jamieson.
Kamau, 21, scored the opening goal in the Reds’ 3-1 victory and proved a dynamic attacking outlet for the first-time champions.
Djite said he only needed to look at the Kenyan-born winger to get a feeling his side was taking an unassailable hold of the game.
“Probably [knew] when Bruce Kamau was rinsing Jamo,” Djite said.
“That was just fantastic to see from this young player.
"I said, ‘Man that guy there, he’s more relaxed than anyone in the changeroom’"
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“Jamieson is one of the best left-backs in the league – if not the best – and he really made a difficult game for him.
“Before the game [Marcelo] Carrusca said to me, ‘Look at Brucey man, do you reckon he’s nervous or stressed?’
“I said, ‘Man that guy there, he’s more relaxed than anyone in the changeroom’.
“He brought that onto the field and what a fantastic game he played.”
Djite’s compliments to teammates continued, claiming David Beckham would have been proud of Isaias’ dazzling set-piece goal, which earned the Spaniard the Joe Marston Medal as best on ground.
The 29-year-old did not continue his recent scoring spree against the Wanderers but his workrate was laudable in front of a crowd of 50,119.
And the emotion of the result was “over-bearing”, especially as he’d been a part of the side that lost the 2007 grand final 6-0 to Melbourne Victory.
“I remember that changeroom after that game, distraught was probably a good word for it,” Djite said.
“The changeroom now is pure elation and these boys know how to party.
“We work hard and can play a bit harder I think.”
Djite also hailed coach Guillermo Amor and his club’s culture, once condemned as a “pissant town” by former United coach Aurelio Vidmar.
“We’ve got a new mentality, new philosophy,” he said.
“The competitive advantages this club has are significant.
“Amor is probably the most experienced coach in terms of big games as a player … the coach played a big part in this.
“And then you’ve got a special team with talented players, but also a talented team.
“That was the difference between us and a lot of other teams.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the boys, the players are fantastic. And not one ego, it’s so rare.
“It really is that togetherness that gets us through.”
-AAP
