'Disgusted' agent takes Wanderers coach to task over treatment of A-League's superstar import
Updated . First published at
Western Sydney Wanderers men's coach Alen Stajcic has been lambasted for his treatment of superstar import Juan Mata.
Mata, 36, is a former Premier League player with Manchester United and won a FIFA World Cup with Spain in 2010.
He is the most accomplished player to join the A-League in years but his impact for the Wanderers to date has been minimal.
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Former Melbourne Victory star Fahid Ben Khalfallah - the agent who organised Mata's arrival Down Under - says the fault lies with Stajcic and not with Mata.
Mata has spent large portions of games on the bench so far, and was only brought onto the field in the 84th minute of a 4-1 win against Newcastle on Friday.
Following that game - their fourth of the season - Stajcic conceded he was still trying to figure out where Mata fits in the side.
Aydan Hammond of the Wanderers is substituted by Juan Mata. Getty
"I think it's just insane… I don't understand," an irate Khalfallah told the A League Off Air podcast.
"When you bring someone like him, you have to play him in a system that suits him. I couldn't believe he only came on for eight minutes or whatever.
"I think it's disrespectful. I hate it. I really, really hate it because it makes no sense to me.
"And I'm so sick, so sick of those coaches saying, 'Oh yeah, but the intensity (of the A-League)'... OK, we will talk about someone who won the World Cup, won the Euro, Champions League, played in England for 10 years – he's always been one of the most intelligent and most technical players of his generation.
"He wasn't quick, he wasn't the strongest. So despite that, he was one of the best players in the world.
"And we're talking about A-League intensity? You must be kidding.
"Put horses on the pitch, they will be running – but they can't kick a ball, and they can't play. They can't pass the ball.
Juan Mata of the Wanderers warms up. Getty
"Seriously, I'm disgusted to hear that kind of stuff.
"Coaches, they do whatever they want. But I'm very disappointed."
Khalfallah fears if Mata becomes disgruntled and leaves the Wanderers in bad blood, it will deter other star internationals from coming to Australia.
"When you see him on the bench, he's celebrating with everyone. He's happy," Khalfallah said.
"He would never say anything (negative) because that's the way he is.
"It is insane, his kindness. He's so humble. And when I see the way we do things toward him ... no, I don't like it. But it's me talking, not him.
"They have to find a way to make it work with him."
The Wanderers are eighth on the ladder with one win in four games.
