Juan Mata’s agent launches blistering attack on Aussie soccer coach over ex-Man United star’s ‘disgusting’ treatment by Sydney team
Juan Mata’s agent has brutally criticized Western Sydney Wanderers manager Alen Stajcic, claiming the football coach’s treatment of the ex-Manchester United star was ‘disgusting’.
The Spanish midfielder’s arrival at the club in September was greeted with great excitement among fans, with Stajcic describing the defender as a ‘priceless’ addition to the squad.
The 36-year-old is one of the most decorated players in world football. He has won a World Cup and a European Championship with Spain, while also winning the Champions League and Europa League.
But since leaving Man United in 2022, Mata has struggled for game time, having played for both Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe.
He played just 22 games in all competitions for both sides, averaging just 29 minutes per game, raising concerns about his fitness after his arrival in Sydney.
Juan Mata’s agent has criticized an Australian football coach for his treatment of the ex-Man United star
Alen Stajcic brought on Juan Mata less than 10 minutes into his side’s win over Newcastle Jets on Friday
Mata’s agent is former footballer Fahid Ben Khalfallah, who played for Brisbane Roar, Melbourne and Troyes
While Mata has tried to allay these concerns, Stajcic has previously suggested that the physical nature and pace of the A-League could have overwhelmed the former Premier League star and several other members of his squad.
The Spaniard, a Real Madrid academy graduate, has made four league appearances for his new club this season, starting in two of those matches. He was subbed off at half-time during his side’s recent defeat to Adelaide United before going on to play eight minutes during his side’s win over Newcastle Jets on Friday.
And his lack of playing time appears to have infuriated his agent, Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
“I think it’s just crazy… I don’t understand it,” Khalfallah said angrily as he spoke at the A-League Off Air podcast.
‘If you bring [in] someone like him, you have to play him in a system that suits him. I couldn’t believe he only came on for about eight minutes.’
Stajcic revealed after the Newcastle game that he was still ‘training’ his best XI and where Mata fits into the team.
But Khalfallah continued: “I think it’s disrespectful. I hate it. I really hate it because it makes no sense to me.
‘And I’m so fed up, so fed up with these coaches saying, ‘Oh yeah, but the intensity (of the A-League)’… Okay, we’ll talk about someone who won the World Cup, won the European Championship Champions League, which was played in England for ten years – he has always been one of the most intelligent and technical players of his generation.
There was much buzz surrounding Mata (centre)’s arrival at the club, with Stajcic (right) praising the midfielder’s work rate.
But Mata’s agent has criticized the coach for the lack of playing time Mata has received since joining
‘He wasn’t fast, he wasn’t the strongest. Despite that, he was one of the best players in the world.
‘And we’re talking about the intensity of the A-League? You must be joking.
‘Put horses on the field, they will run – but they can’t kick a ball and they can’t play. They can’t pass the ball.
“Seriously, I hate hearing things like that.”
Mata was seen putting ice on his foot after being sent off after 45 minutes against Adelaide United last week.
After the match, Stajcic had claimed that the midfielder was ‘pulled up a bit painfully’, before noting that several other players in his squad were wearing ice packs.
He added: ‘It’s the intensity of the A-League; I’ve said this before, it’s quite misleading.
“It’s a high-intensity football match, probably one of the most intense competitions in the world.”
Questions had been raised about Mata’s fitness before his arrival at the club, having struggled for playing time with the former club’s Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe.
Stajcic revealed after the Newcastle match that he was still ‘working out’ his best XI and where Mata fits into the team
However, Stajcic has previously praised Mata and what he has brought to the team since joining the club.
“He is everything we thought he would be and more,” he said.
‘To come back to the human qualities and values: he has already brought in an enormous amount.
“He’s so humble, he’s come in willing to work hard and learn and has been willing to spread his knowledge across the group.
‘His humility in and around the team is exactly the kind of culture that comes with it [Sydney’s] people in the western suburbs really appreciate and enjoy not just our play group but the whole community.
‘And I’m not even talking about his qualities on the field. The leadership he brings to the pitch, the composure, the composure and the people who learn from him in terms of his decision-making and his movements are exceptional.
‘He’s a really inspiring figure to have in the group.’