Sydney embark on worldwide search

Sydney FC chief executive Dirk Melton has revealed the A-League club will look off-shore for a new coach.

The revelation comes after it was announced in mid-week that Sydney’s longest serving boss, Vitezslav Lavicka, would depart at the conclusion of the 2011-12 campaign.

Lavicka led the Sky Blues to the league double in 2009-10 but a lacklustre run of form this season has Sydney in danger of not making the finals for consecutive years.

Sydney club officials announced they want to see the club take a new direction next season and in doing so would search for a new coach.

According to The World Game, Sydney are considering candidates from abroad including Manchester United legend Roy Keane and former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola.

Sydney are also believed to be considering making a move for Central Coast coach Graham Arnold or Brisbane Roar’s Ange Postecoglou but both bosses are still under contract at their respective clubs.

In a press conference, Melton discussed possible replacements for the Czech coach and said they’d look high and wide for a new boss.

“It’s got to be done in the right way,” Melton said. “We’ll be looking here and overseas and we’ve got to work out the set attributes; what are the must-haves, what can we afford and what can we make happen?”

“As we embark upon the process we’ll get a better understanding of what candidates are available and who meets our needs.”

Asked specifically about the possibility of having Zola arrive at the club, Melton responded: “What a great man, he’d be expensive though,”

Lavicka, who previously coached Sparta Prague, is expected to return to Europe to be closer to family while continuing managing in the Czech Republic.