Socceroos and Melbourne Victory star Harry Kewell has split from long-term manager Bernie Mandic.
Mandic has managed Kewell since he was a youngster in Sydney’s West, before securing Kewell’s move to Leeds United in the Barclays Premier League, while handling his moves to Liverpool, Galatasaray and to the A-League.
The news continues a tumultuous week for Victory, after football director Francis Awaritefe left the club on Tuesday, before Victory’s managing director Richard Wilson claiming that Kewell was set to appoint Argentina legend Abel Balbo as his personal coach and mentor.
Harry has been getting a bit of grief in regards to the situation with Bernie and some of the dealings over the last few months and it
has probably come to a head.
Bernie is almost like a father-son relationship … it is a massive move. Bernie has done a hell of a lot for Harry over the years, including that
massive deal with Liverpool. Although it’s a big call, is the right one for Harry
and his club.
Harry’s now at an age where this is his last contract. In all honesty, he doesn’t need a manager and this will settle things down for him. I understand his wife Sheree and prominent public relations expert Ann Peacock will take over his managementship.
by Buford Balony
