Red Devils axe senior coach in a club first, and Leslie takes over the helm
BY GAVIN MCGRATH
30 Jun, 2010 11:39 PM

THERE is a new man at the helm of the Ballarat Red Devils.
British import Michael Leslie has been named senior coach at the Red Devils after the Victorian Football Federation state league club axed his predecessor, Dale Harris, following a mid-season review.

Leslie will take the reins immediately as playing coach, with club stalwart Rick Janssen appointed his off-field assistant.

Haymes Red Devils chairman Andrew Burgess said it was the first time in the club's history it had removed a head coach midway through the season and it was not a decision that was taken lightly.

"We had a mid-season review after round 11 and, with the results, we felt the message wasn't getting through to the playing group," Burgess said.

"We thought Dale had something to offer but he wasn't getting through to this group, so we thought we'd go in another direction.

"Sometimes in football you get that. Dale couldn't get the most out of this group. There is no blame, it is just a fact that the squad we have should be well and truly mid-table. We felt as a club enough time had passed for Dale to turn the results around and he was unfortunately not

able to do that.

"It has been a tough decision. The club has not removed a head coach before and it wasn't taken lightly, but we felt it was needed so that the club could stay at state league two level."

The decision to appoint 22-year-old Leslie as coach for the remainder of the 2010 season was made on Monday at a board meeting.

Burgess said appointing a playing coach at state league level was uncommon but not unheard of.

While Leslie is yet to coach at senior level, Burgess said he deserved the opportunity, with the benefit of Janssen's experience.

"With Janssen assisting from the bench, we thought it would be the right mix," Burgess said.

"It is difficult being a player and coach. Having an assistant on the bench we think will help us avoid relegation, which is our main priority.

"Rick has played at premier level in Victoria and we are excited about the mix of old and the new. We are hoping for a change of fortune."

Leslie is in his second season at Trekardo Park after arriving from the United Kingdom two years ago. His first assignment as Reds' senior coach will be an away clash against Moreland City on Saturday.


http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/red-devils-axe-senior-coach-in-a-club-first-and-leslie-takes-over-the-helm/1873416.aspx

This has been coming for a while

But Leslie coaching? I dunno about that...

I agree not really the best decision...

Edited by joffa: 1/7/2010 10:42:23 PM

What was wrong with the Coach Harris? Too many losses but what was the cause of the losses? What was he doing wrong?
Ballarat had a playing coach in about 1993, Dave Gibson ( Gibbo ). FYI

As I understand it, some of the team selections were baffling and he wasn't perhaps the most tactically astute coach going around.

Whilst the results have been poor and the Red Devils are desperate to stay in the league, get promoted even, the reasons weren't solely about the onfield results.

I am by no means an expert on the inner workings of the Red Devils, but that is what I've been told.

Edited by joffa: 2/7/2010 12:16:25 AM

There are a few people in the committee now, that are very driven to see Devils go up to State League - Even line themselves up as a potential A-League club.

Impression I get from Soccer-Forum is that there are lots of youth in the club, and Harris was probably battling between playing young guys who are born and bred Ballarat boys (or perhaps more-so their parents), or talented "backpackers" that are imported from overseas to bolster the squad last minute.

Things that people wouldn't bat an eyelid at in the city as it's pretty normal, probably wouldn't be accepted up in the small town community - especially within the tight knit Soccer Community.

A 22 yo coach? Not a smart idea. You need to have experience to be taken seriously and being 'one of the boys' really doesnt work in a managerial sense. Age does play a role in peoples perceptions.

Will be interesting to see how that pans out.