John Kosmina

Football manager infobox
playername = John Kosmina
fullname = Alexander John Kosmina


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1956|8|17
cityofbirth = Adelaide
countryofbirth = Australia
position = Manager (former Striker)
currentclub = Sydney FC
clubnumber =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1973-1976 1977 1978 1979 1979-1980 1981-1986 1987-1988 1989 1990
clubs = Adelaide Polonia West Adelaide SC Adelaide City Arsenal FC West Adelaide SC Sydney City Sydney Olympic APIA Leichhardt Sutherland Sharks
caps(goals) = 023 (12) 004 0(0) 001 0(0) 044 (12) 150 (89) 044 (13) 024 0(6)
nationalyears = 1976-1988
nationalteam = flagicon|Australia Australia
nationalcaps(goals) = 100 (42)
pcupdate = 25 June 2007
ntupdate = 25 June 2007
manageryears = 1994-1995 1995-1998 1999-2003 2003-2007 2007-present
managerclubs = Warringah Dolphins
Newcastle Breakers
Brisbane Strikers
Adelaide United
Sydney FC

Alexander John Kosmina (born August 17, 1956), known as John Kosmina, is a former Australian international Football (soccer) player of Slovenian ancestry. He is currently the manager of Australian A-League football club Sydney FC. He is a member of the Football Federation Australia Football Hall of Fame.

Club career

He played for Polonia and then West Adelaide, before signing for English side Arsenal in February 1978. However, he only played one first-team game for the Gunners (as a substitute against Leeds United on August 18, 1978), and returned to Australia in May 1979. On his return, he went on to become one of the National Soccer League's most prolific scorers, with stints at Adelaide City, West Adelaide (for a second time), Sydney City, Sydney Olympic and A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers before retiring in 1989. The most successful of these was with Sydney City, being part of their 1981 and 1982 championship winning teams, as well as being the league's top scorer in 1982.

Managerial career

After retiring, he began coaching the Warringah Dolphins in the New South Wales state leagues, before coaching NSL side Newcastle Breakers, followed by a stint at the Brisbane Strikers. Both stints were largely unsuccessful, his sides reaching the finals only once.

Adelaide United

In 2003 he became the inaugural coach of Adelaide United. Kosmina coached United to an impressive 3rd in the final season of the NSL. Maintaining his job for the inaugural season of the Hyundai A-League, Kosmina led his side to the Minor Premiership but a poor finals series saw them finish 3rd overall. The next season saw mixed results for Kosmina and Adelaide United. Finishing 2nd on the table behind Melbourne Victory, they managed to reach the grand final, only to be thrashed 6-0. Kosmina's criticism of the refereeing of that match, coupled with the devastating loss and a touchline ban during the season for a scuffle with the Victory's Kevin Muscat, saw him succumb to the mounting pressure and resign. He was then appointed by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold as his assistant for the 2007 Asian Cup.

ydney FC

After the sacking of Branko Culina by the Sydney Football Club Board, and a few days of speculation, Kosmina was confirmed on October 24, 2007 as the new Sydney FC coach. [citenews|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22640768-5000940,00.html |title=Sydney FC unveil Kosmina |date=24 October, 2007] Since signing with Sydney FC John Kosmina has made an immediate impact. Winning his first game with Sydney 3-2 against rivals Central Coast Mariners and the Sydney Football Stadium. He beat the LA Galaxy 5-3 at Sydney's Telstra Stadium and also won a thrilling 5-4 victory Against the Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford. His only loss to date with Sydney FC was to bottom side Perth Glory 4-2 at the Sydney Football Stadium

Kosmina's contract with Sydney expires in November 2009.

Honours

Player

With Sydney City:
* NSL Championship: 1981, 1982
* NSL Cup: 1986Personal Honours:
* FFA Hall of Champions Inductee - 1999
* NSL Top Scorer: 1982 with Sydney City - 23 goals
* NSL Papasavas Medal (U-21): 1977

Manager

With Adelaide United:
* A-League Premiership: 2005-2006

References

External links

* [http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_hof_champions_profile&id=656 FFA - Hall of Fame profile]
* [http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=sydfc_coachingstaff&pid=703 Sydney FC profile]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/K/KO.html Oz Football profile]