Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Anthony Napoli/Brisbane City FC

Brisbane City have announced Socceroos legend and former Hyundai A-League coach John Kosmina will be the club’s Senior Men’s Coach in 2016.

Kosmina joins the club on a three-year-deal and will move to Brisbane in September prior to starting training the team in October.

Kosmina, 59, scored 25 goals in over the course of 60 caps for the Socceroos and scored over 100 goals in decade long career in the former National Soccer League.

He previously coached Adelaide United to the inaugural Hyundai A-League Premiership before also guiding Sydney FC for two seasons.

He is also no stranger to the Brisbane football community after spending a four year stint in charge of Brisbane Strikers in the NSL.

Kosmina already has an indelible link to the competition at the national level with the medal for the most outstanding player in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Final named in his honour.

He will replace current City caretaker Senior Men's Coach Darron Heseldon, who will remain with the club's Under 18 side next season after stepping up to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Glen Volker earlier this season.

Kosmina said he was excited to be part of Brisbane City and that he sees a bright future based on discussions with Club President David Asnicar.

He revealed that the move to City began after being impressed with the club’s vision outlined at a sponsors luncheon earlier this year.

“When I went to the club luncheon - the way it was organised, the way that David Asnicar spoke about the five year plan - I thought these guys are heading in the right direction,” Kosmina explained.

“For clubs at the NPL level to survive, and if they want to corporatise at the second tier, then clubs have to change the way they go about their business and you can really see that happening here.”

Kosmina said while he is eager to assist the club’s public profile, he is under no illusions that his primary role is to ensure the results on the pitch are on par with the advancement behind the scenes.

City are currently on course to record their lowest finish in their brief PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland history this season, and Kosmina said he is eager to turn that around next year.

“I want to make Brisbane City a force in the NPL in Queensland,” he asserted.

“I didn’t come here to have a holiday - coaching is about getting results at senior level. Obviously it’s about development as well, but if the club is successful on the field it will then become more successful off the field.”

However, Kosmina added that the measurements of success is about working within the larger club framework as part of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland talented player pathway.

“If we can get good players then that’s fine but if a bloke wants to come here because I played for Australia 25 years ago then that’s probably not the right thing for the club.”

“If he wants to come here because I can help him out with my coaching then that’s a different kettle of fish.”

“And if I can bring one of the kids playing in the Under 18’s to become a compotent first team player in three years’ time then I have done my job.”

Kosmina conceded his knowledge of the competition is currently only surface level, but added he also has plenty of time to prepare before next season.

“It’s one thing to look at the league on the website but it’s another thing to see it live. I’ll get a better feel for it once I move myself up here and start talking to a few people,” he concluded.