Long-standing Sydney FC coach Steve Corica has been sacked after just three games of the A-League season following the club’s worst ever start to a campaign.
He is the second coach to fall already this year, with Melbourne City – who defeated Sydney 2-0 on Friday night – dispensing with Rado Vidosic last week.
David Zdrilic, Corica’s assistant, has taken interim control of training with the club set to travel to high-flying Adelaide this Friday night.
The Sky Blues released a statement confirming his departure early on Tuesday morning, a shock move given that the his 19-year stay with the club as both a player and manager, as well as an Australia Cup win just three weeks ago.
Pressure had begun to mount given Sydney’s awful start, but few thought the axe to fall so quickly.
With a tough away game to Adelaide followed by the derby against Western Sydney, the expectation had been that Corica would be judged on those fixtures at the very least, but instead, the club has acted swiftly.
Since defeating Brisbane Roar 3-1 to pick up the Australia Cup, the club have lost 2-0 to Melbourne Victory, 3-0 to the Roar and 2-0 to City.
They currently sit bottom of the A-League table without a single goal to their name, and indeed, did not register a shot on target against City last Friday night.
“The Sydney FC Board has made the decision to move in a new direction,” said chairman Scott Barlow in a statement.
“Steve is a legend of our club and has made an incredible contribution as both a player and coach over our 19-year history.
“He is a true gentleman who has always put Sydney FC first and I would like to personally thank him for all he has done.”
Former Socceroo Corica was with the club from its foundation in 2005 and captained them before taking over from current Australia boss Graham Arnold in 2018 and leading the club to back-to-back Premiership in 2019 and 2020.
“It is very difficult to depart Sydney FC after being here for such a long time but I leave with unbelievable memories,” he said.
“There are so many people to thank but most of all I would like to thank all my amazing staff and players as well as the Sydney FC Members and fans.
“I could never have imagined that when I set foot into this brand, new club in 2005, I would go on to spend the next 19 years of my life here. I will always look back on my time with Sydney FC with incredible fondness.”