Cairnlea has raised a few eyebrows over the timing of its decision to part company with senior coach Brian Sweeney and assistant Mario Guatze.
The coaches were axed with the bulk of the pre-season complete, just 17 days before the club’s first Dockerty Cup appearance and a month out from the start of the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 north-west season.
Reds president Yagiz Adal said the move was inevitable and there was no point in drawing it out.
“It would’ve been disastrous [to do it in-season] and history shows us that,” he said.
“We believe we have enough time to prepare for the season and that’s one of the reasons we made the move now instead of leaving it until later.”
Differing views on youth development between the Sweeney and Guatze and the club was the key factor behind the sackings.
The Reds wanted their coaches to take a more holistic approach and felt that it would be better served through new appointments.
“They are fantastic people, and it’s always difficult letting people go,” Yagiz said.
“But if there’s one certainty in football, it’s that coaches come and go. It’s the reality and we believe it was in the interests of the club to look elsewhere.
“We didn’t believe their view on football and the development of the team matched our thoughts and feelings about how we should be moving forward.
“Youth development [is the club’s philosophy] and that was lacking.”
The Reds had already lined up Kruni Razov to take over as head coach, with Mustafa Mustafa as playing assistant.
Razov was an attractive proposition because of his experience at the level, having led the St Albans Saints to multiple promotions.
Razov gave a rousing speech to the players on the night of his signing and made clear his intention to work just as hard with the youngsters as he does with the senior players.
“He gave a passionate speech to the entire squad, seniors and reserves and the under-18s,” Yagiz said.
“He asked for them to come along for the ride and it’s going to be exciting.
“He addressed the youth as well and said; ‘I’m going to be looking at you’.
“It’s important that we look after our young ones. We did our research and we believe in him.”
