They were once Australia’s hottest sporting team. But the Wanderers are a shell of their former selves |
About a decade ago, the red and black hooped jersey of the Western Sydney Wanderers was ubiquitous. Not unlike the ‘Random Souths Guy’ phenomenon, any visit to a populated public space in the city’s western suburbs (or even beyond) would give you a decent enough chance of spotting one, somewhere.
That’s because back then – in the olden days, when the Wanderers were arguably Australia’s hottest sporting team – those jerseys were worn with pride. Which is precisely why you don’t see them so much any more.
The Wanderers are at a low ebb. Again.Credit: Getty Images
The Wanderers have this week parted with Alen Stajcic, their sixth coach in nine seasons. They have become the Manchester United of the A-League: a ‘big’ club in name only, confused about who they are and what they want to be, too happy coasting by on memories of past glories to bother with any sort of legitimate plan for the future.
The last time the Wanderers were consistently, reliably good, people were still laughing at the idea of Donald Trump’s US presidential campaign. Since making their last A-League men’s grand final in 2016, they’ve played finals twice.
It’s important to remember how this club came about: in a rush, after Sir Frank Lowy’s public spat with Clive Palmer led to the closure of Gold Coast United, leaving the A-League scrambling for a 10th team for the following season.
Plans for a side in Sydney’s west were swiftly enacted, and most of the foundations were laid by inaugural coach Tony Popovic and a series of town........