Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler to become manager at A-League side Brisbane Roar despite local opposition
Fowler, 44, will take up the second managerial role of his career after a spell in Thailand with Muangthong United
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Your support makes all the difference.Robbie Fowler is set to take over as Brisbane Roar's new manager after a drawn-out interview process in which he beat off a number of more experienced candidates.
The former Liverpool striker is no stranger to the A-League, having played for both North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory after leaving English football in 2008.
Fowler will take up the second managerial post of his career after a spell in charge of Thai club Muangthong United as player-manager from 2011 until his retirement in 2012.
The 44-year-old former England international is understood to have impressed Roar officials during the lengthy recruitment process.
John Aloisi, the previous Roar boss, stunned the club by quitting in December and Darren Davies has been in interim charge ever since.
But Fowler's relative lack of experience for this appointment has provoked questions over whether the A-League should be hiring untested coaches from overseas instead of offering opportunities to local ones.
Football Coaches Australia President Phil Moss said on Fox Sports: “I disagree with it.
“Robbie Fowler is a legend and a Liverpool legend. So it pains me to say this, its 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. And I just think we’ve got so many coaches in this country and so few opportunities that I don’t think it should be a development stop for young coaches who haven’t proven themselves yet.”
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