- Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta says he is a ‘hands on’ leader
- I didn’t see any problem with him training with A-League squads this week
- Patafta, 35, previously captained Australia’s under-17s
- Roar’s culture was called into question after the head coach took a medical leave of absence
Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta has defended his bold decision to train with the A-League men’s team this week as simply demonstrating elite leadership.
Patafta, 35, spoke to Ny Breaking Australia on Friday, just 24 hours after the club announced head coach Ben Cahn would take an indefinite medical leave with immediate effect.
Newly appointed assistant coach Ruben Zadkovich will step in in Cahn’s absence, with social media rumors suggesting the London-born manager won’t be back anytime soon.
“That’s news to me,” Patafta said Friday.
‘I was the one who took a chance on Ben, it’s my reputation at stake so it wouldn’t look great if he left after five games.
Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta has defended his decision to train with the A-League men’s team this week
As a teenager, Kaz Patafta captained the Joeys and was on the books of Benfica in Portugal (photo, in 2006)
Ben Cahn has left the Brisbane Roar top job after just five games in charge
“People should also realize that Ben hired Ruben (as his assistant) after a lengthy interview process… so it wouldn’t be wise for Ruben to try to remove the guy who gave him the opportunity, right?”
And what about the wild rumor that the former Joeys (under 17s) captain had dusted off his boots on Thursday morning and joined the likes of Jay O’Shea and Tom Aldred on the pitch at their Meakin Park training center in Slacks Creek connected?
“Right, I was there from 6am,” confirmed Patafta, a qualified lawyer. ‘I also filled the water bottles and moved the goalposts when necessary.
‘It was about showing the players what I stand for. I’ve been in their shoes, and for me, leadership starts from the top.
‘When Ben (Cahn) confirmed (earlier this week) that he needed some time away, I knew I had to show that I was all in, I want success.
“I was also at the girls practice this week, collecting cones and cheering them on for their game this weekend.”
Brisbane has been churning out head coaches in the A-League men’s competition at an alarming rate this season.
In December, Ross Aloisi left the spot after taking an opportunity in China, with Luciano Trani as his replacement.
A disastrous 8-1 defeat to Melbourne City saw Cahn quickly handed the role, but with his return date unknown, Zadkovich now has the chance 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 was a shining light for Brisbane Roar as they looked to play finals football this season
Patafta believes it is crucial that the right decisions are made, with the right people working together behind the scenes.
“This club must be able to compete with the big clubs and compete for silverware,” he said.
‘I can’t speak to what others (staff) have done before me, but since starting in July last year I would like to think the club is now in a better place than before.
‘I have restored relationships with our key stakeholders and our membership numbers are increasing.
“We also know that consistent results will get more people through the gate (at Suncorp), so that’s why we signed guys like Marco Rojas, he’s a match winner.
‘Not everyone embraces change so it takes time… I have a vision of where this club should be and I won’t rest until we get there.’