At the beginning of November, Josep Gombau was appointed the new head coach of Western Sydney Wanderers, stepping into significant responsibilities at Parramatta Stadium. During his debut A-League assignment, he observed from the sidelines and must have been encouraged by his team’s resilient display against Melbourne Victory, which resulted in a hard-earned point.
Source: Josep Gombau via Twitter
A-League fans recognize Gombau from his two-year tenure at Adelaide United, where he led his team to victory against Perth Glory in the FFA Cup Final. He is well-regarded for introducing a Spanish flair to the league and has now been tasked with following in the footsteps of the highly popular Tony Popovic.
Popovic was instrumental in crafting his squad from the ground up, attaining significant success for the club, and few supporters could resent his move to manage Turkish top-flight team Karabukspor. His assistant, Hayden Foxe, will remain at the club, eager to collaborate with the new head coach.
In 2015, Gombau departed Adelaide to take on a coaching role in the United States, and since his last A-League engagement, he has also been involved with the Australian Under 23s.
Though Western Sydney Wanderers initially pursued Croatia’s Ante Milicic, they were unsuccessful in securing his commitment, resulting in a delay in naming Popovic’s successor. Gombau inherits a solid squad that includes fellow Spaniards Alvaro Cejudo, Raul Llorente, and Oriol Riera, the latter missing a penalty in the 1-1 game against Melbourne Victory, missing the chance to clinch three points for his new manager.
Source: Sport Daily via Twitter
Under Foxe’s guidance, Western Sydney Wanderers have made a promising start in the new A-League season, currently residing in fourth place after five matches. Although they have faced numerous draws, they remain unbeaten, providing Gombau with a strong foundation to build upon. Paul Lederer, the Wanderers’ chairman, expressed admiration for Gombau and emphasized that his hiring aligns with their long-term aspirations. While very few supporters anticipate a title challenge this year, with the club starting as fifth favorites at the season’s onset, they are now firmly aimed at securing Champions League spots.
Their impressive form has propelled them to third in betting odds, and soccer enthusiasts looking to support their success this season, or more realistically to finish in the top two, have the chance to take advantage of several sign-up bonuses from Australian bookmakers, including $250 in free bets from Ladbrokes, which can be utilized to wager on the Wanderers thriving under Josep Gombau.
If Western Sydney Wanderers wish to bridge the gap to the dominant Sydney FC, pre-season favorites for back-to-back titles under Graham Arnold, they must continue to make themselves tough to beat.
Gombau’s coaching style is not one of drastic upheaval; rather, it is a fitting approach for a unique team like Western Sydney Wanderers. With a positive season already underway, the appointment of the Spanish manager should aid them in maintaining their upward trajectory.
