HARRY Kewell was supposed to be the greatest thing to happen to the A-League since its inception in 2005, but questions are being raised as to whether he is the solution or the problem.
The role his controversial manager Bernie Mandic is playing at crisis club Melbourne Victory is also coming under increasing scrutiny.
If the whispers and innuendo are right, Victory is in turmoil with coach Mehmet Durakovic under pressure, staff leaving, a fractured dressing-room and a split board all contributing to a club on the verge of imploding.
The situation took another twist yesterday with Victory chief executive Richard Wilson revealing that Kewell is on the verge of signing former Argentina international Abel Balbo as his personal trainer, mentor and technical assistant -- a move that has sparked suggestions it will undermine the authority of Durakovic.
Balbo, who got on the end of a cross from Diego Maradona to score in a 1-1 draw with the Socceroos in a World Cup qualifier at the Sydney Football Stadium in 1993, has also been touted as a possible successor to Francis Awaritefe, who this week resigned as technical director.
Mandic, who is back in Paris where he lives, is said to represent Balbo and is believed to have been pushing his credentials to Victory.
While Wilson, speaking to theworldgame website, said Balbo will not be employed by the club now, he did not rule it out in the future.
"Abel will not be employed by the club at this stage and it would be a matter between himself and Harry," Wilson said.
"A few things are being talked about. But a technical director's role for Abel is certainly not being discussed.
"There have been some discussions about Abel working on a personal basis with Harry. That's been the main focus. As for him taking over from Awaritefe, a few things are being looked at but nothing decided yet. It's an unusual one -- it's really a matter for Harry at this stage. My understanding is that Harry wants him to be a part of his training programs, regimes and the technical side of things.
"That's fine by the club. We won't stand in any player's way if they want a specific coach, so long as it works in with the existing structures.
"Harry is determined to play at the next World Cup and if he feels there is somebody who can help him attain the standards and levels that are required then we support that."
The latest development is certain to continue to affect Victory, which has won just once in seven games and is languishing near the bottom of the table.
Speaking on the basis of anonymity, an insider indicated to The Australian Mandic is trying to have too much of an influence at Victory and that the board "has lost the plot".
"I have been told Mandic continually hangs around the dressing-rooms and has too much to say," he said.
"How does the club let a player manager exert such influence? It's too destabilising.
"The board has a lot to answer for, too.
"It is no secret it is divided. There are certain people who have too much influence on some of them.
"Everything the club has fought hard to build and change about unprofessional football management that riddled the old league is now re-emerging.
"What was a model for so-called new football is now morphing into an old, suburban, jobs-for-the-boys, amateur soccer club."
