Newcastle Jets: Olyroo Steve Ugarkovic in line for debut as CEO disputes club in limbo claims
By: James Gardiner
OLYROOS midfielder Steve Ugarkovic will participate in his first full Newcastle Jets training session on Wednesday ahead of a likely debut against Adelaide United.
And club management hope to finalise another new addition as the Jets attempt to bounce back from a 6-1 capitulation to Perth and keep their fading finals hopes alive in Adelaide on Sunday.
“We are getting closer,” chief executive David Eland said with regards to signing a player with the proceeds from the sale of Lee Ki-je.
“We are doing everything we can to make sure we get the right player. We are fortunate that Scott [Miller] has mentors and a lot of people across Europe he can consult. That has been a big part of the due diligence. We are getting closer.”
With the search for a new owner continuing, some long-suffering fans have questioned FFA’s commitment to the Jets and suggested that the club is in a holding pattern, claims that Eland rejects.
“Clearly the club is not achieving the results that we want to achieve,” said Eland, who splits his time between running the Jets and Northern NSW Football.
“
As far as the club being in limbo … I understand where the fans are coming from. I wish I was a fan of a club that won every week and won every championship.
“What I would say is let’s not underestimate what the FFA have done here. For the governing body to come in and take over the licence after Nathan Tinkler – it is on the record that the club is projected to lose $1.5 to $2 million this year – is a massive contribution.
“When Ki-je was sold, they also released additional funds for the club which we are in the process of trying to invest in the right player. I don’t think that is reflective of a club in limbo at all.”
It has been six years since the Jets last made the finals, and barring a run of positive results that will be stretched to seven.
“There are certainly some fans who are taking offence to the word rebuild,” Eland said.
“But there is no way to sugarcoat it. The club is rebuilding. There are still legacies from the past that cannot be undone overnight. It is going to take time to build the depth and quality in the team.”
Ugarkovic, who is on an 18-month deal, has been recruited with a view to the future.
He arrived in Newcastle late Saturday night, watched the loss to Perth on Sunday, and joined the team at recovery session on Monday. They had Tuesday off training.
Miller will be forced to make at least one change with skipper Nigel Boogaard suspended.
Meanwhile, there was speculation on Tuesday night that former Jets golden boot Adam Taggart is headed back to his home town club Perth, but not until next season.
Originally Posted by Grimario
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