Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta has defended his bold decision to train with the A-League men’s squad this week, adamant he was simply displaying elite leadership.
Patafta, 35, spoke to Daily Mail Australia on Friday, just 24 hours after the club announced head coach Ben Cahn would be taking indefinite medical leave, effective immediately.
Newly appointed assistant coach Ruben Zadkovich will step up in Cahn’s absence, with rumours on social media suggesting the London born manager won’t be back anytime soon.
‘I was the one who took a chance on Ben, it is my reputation on the line, so him leaving [after five games] wouldn’t look great.
Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta has defended his decision to train with the A-League men’s squad this week
As a teenager, Kaz Patafta captained the Joeys and was on the books of Benfica in Portugal (pictured, in 2006)
Ben Cahn has walked away from the Brisbane Roar top job after just five games in charge
‘People need to also realise that Ben hired Ruben [as his assistant] after a lengthy interview process….so it wouldn’t be wise for Ruben to try and remove the very bloke who gave him an opportunity would it?’
And what about the wild rumour the former Joeys (under-17s) captain dusted off his boots and joined the likes of Jay O’Shea and Tom Aldred on the pitch at their Meakin Park training facility in Slacks Creek on Thursday morning?
‘Correct, I was there from 6am,’ Patafta, a qualified lawyer, confirmed. ‘I was also filling the water bottles and moving the goalposts when needed.
‘It was about showing the players what I am about…I have been in their shoes, and for me, leadership starts from the top.
‘When Ben [Cahn] confirmed [earlier this week] he needed time away, I knew I had to show I was all in, I want success.
‘I was also at the girls’ training this week, picking up cones and encouraging them ahead of their game this weekend.’
Brisbane have churned through head coaches in the A-League men’s competition at an alarming rate this season.
In December, Ross Aloisi vacated the hot seat after taking up an opportunity in China, with Luciano Trani his replacement.
A disastrous 8-1 defeat against Melbourne City saw Cahn quickly elevated into the role, but with his return date unknown, Zadkovich now has the opportunity to tinker with the squad as he sees fit.
Fellow retired football star Zac Anderson is also looking to revive the fortunes of Brisbane Roar
Jay O’Shea has been a shining light for Brisbane Roar as they looked to play finals football this season
Patafta believes it is crucial the right decisions are made with the right people working behind the scenes in unison.
‘This club should be up with the big clubs, challenging for silverware,’ he said.
‘I can’t speak for what others [staff] did before me, but since starting out in July last year, I would like to think the club is now in a better spot than what it was.
‘I have mended relations with our key stakeholders and our membership numbers are on the rise.
‘We also know consistent results will see more people through the gates [at Suncorp], so that is why we have signed guys like Marco Rojas, he is a match-winner.
‘Not everyone embraces change, so it does take time…I have a vision of where this club should be and I won’t rest until we are there.’
