A-League: What next for Sydney FC?

Sydney FC have taken the decision to part company with Steve Corica following a horror start to the new season.

The Sky Blues have lost their opening three games, scoring zero goals and conceding seven to sit bottom the ladder, and the board have decided to act.

Corica has been axed from his position as head coach and already there is talk that former Sydney FC player Ufuk Talay will step into the role.

So where do Sydney FC go from here? Let’s take a look.

Writing has been on the wall

Corica has been walking a tightrope for sometime and a strong start to the season was needed.

Unfortunately for everyone involved it was quite the opposite with three defeats on the spin, resulting in Corica losing his job.

Corica is a club legend, have joined as a player in 2005 before moving into the coaching ranks.

After landing the head coach role, Corica lead them to a premiership and two championships, but it has been a struggle in the last few seasons.

They did make a return to finals last season before bowing out in the semis, and it has been a difficult start to the new season.

From a sentimental point of view the decision to axe Corica would have been tough, but from a football perspective a change was needed.

It is a cliché but the dressing room probably needs a different voice, the club need a new direction, and a new coach will provide both.

Still time to turn things around

By taking the decision to axe Corica so early in the season, it at least gives Sydney a chance to get their season back on track.

There is time for the Sky Blues to challenge at the top of the ladder if the new man can come in and galvanise the club quickly.

Only three games have been played and Sydney are just four points away from Perth Glory in sixth spot and seven points off top.

As things stand Sydney FC can be backed at 11.00 to win the grand final and with the right appointment there is still time.

Talay the man for the job?

It goes without saying the next appointment is crucial, and already there appears to be a stand-out candidate in Ufuk Talay.

No doubt all avenues will be explored and a host of names will be in the frame, but Talay is the early hot fancy to take the reins.

He is currently out of work after walking away from Wellington Phoenix at the end of the season and has a strong connection to the club.

The 47-year-old represented the club as a player and was assistant coach before leaving to take the Phoenix job in 2018.

Sydney need someone who knows the club inside and out and Talay appears to be the perfect fit.

The powers that be will also be keen to make an appointment as quickly as possible and there is no red tape to hold up a swoop for Talay.

Adelaide United next up

It does not get much harder than a trip to Adelaide United, and that is what Sydney FC are facing on Saturday.

The Reds are unbeaten at the top of the ladder with seven points, have scored 10 goals and conceded just one.

Sydney can be backed at 3.60 to pull off a shock, but Adelaide are the hot fancy at 1.83. The draw is 3.80.

It remains to be seen if the new coach will be on board before Saturday, and for now assistant coach David Zdrilic is taking training and could be in charge in Adelaide.