Fowler is all ready to roar at Brisbane

Fowler is all ready to roar at Brisbane

He was once voted Liverpool's fourth greatest player and continues to work as a club ambassador. Now, Robbie Fowler is poised to begin a new chapter as a manager by taking the reins at struggling Australian side, Brisbane Roar.

Fowler, who turns 44 on Tuesday, is expected to be appointed ahead of the 2019-20 season, edging out Welsh interim boss, Darren Davies. Davies has held the position since the shock resignation of former Socceroo striker, John Aloisi, at the end of the December.

Giving the inexperienced Fowler a major coaching job has polarised opinion in Australian soccer, with seasoned local managers like David Mitchell, Frank Farina, Gary Phillips and John Kosmina all without A-League gigs.

"I disagree with it," former Central Coast Mariners' coach Moss told Fox Sports Australia.

"Robbie Fowler is a legend, and a Liverpool legend. So, it pains me to say this, it's not about him as an ex-player. I just don't think the A-League should be a breeding ground for foreign coaches. If we're going to develop coaches in the A-League, I think they should be local coaches.

"They should come here with an established CV of success to make a difference to our league."

Since 2013, Fowler has worked as a coach at the Liverpool FC academy. He was caretaker player/manager at Thai club Muang Thong United in 2011-12, and at English third-tier side Milton Keynes Dons before that.

In terms of A-League experience, Fowler knows the domestic championship well, having played for Perth Glory (2010-11) and the now-defunct North Queensland Fury (2009-10). Although his Aussie stint came towards the end of his career, Fowler acquitted himself reasonably well, scoring 18 goals in 54 matches, and helping boost crowd figures.

But will he translate his impressive playing career -- his 128 goals is the most by any Liverpool player in the Premier League era -- into coaching success?

Former Manchester United and Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich thinks he can. "I think it would be absolutely fantastic... not only for Brisbane Roar, but for the A-League," Bosnich said.

"The managers that he's played under during his career, like Gerard Houllier, Rafa Benitez, Terry Venables... the list goes on. That type of experience as a player... to play under those types of coaches... is absolutely priceless.

"In terms of the [lack of experience on his] CV, I can understand that to a slight extent. But the bottom line is he's been working very closely with the Liverpool academy."

Three-time winners of the A-League, Brisbane Roar have won just three of 23 games in the current season, and have seen attendances drop. Their ageing squad includes former Premier League midfielder Brett Holman, 35, his former Socceroo teammate Matt McKay, 36, and 30-something imports Henrique, Thomas Kristensen, Alex Lopez and Eric Bautheac.

Eighteen of their players are coming to the end of their contracts.

Fowler would face a massive task to revitalise the squad ahead of the new A-League campaign, which begins after the FFA Cup in July.


Jason Dasey is CEO of Singapore-based Cockatoo Media and emcee of corporate events in Bangkok.

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