- Gus Poyet was approached by Melbourne's victory in 2005
- Considered playing in A-League after retiring months before
- Chelsea Gelsea Great Now Manager of Jeonbuk Motors in South Korea
- Face Sydney FC in the next clash of the AFC Champions League Dos
The premier league legend, Gus Poyet, has revealed that it was close to signing with Melbourne's victory in 2005, but rejected the A -League club when the Uruguayan knew that he would fall in love with the Australian lifestyle.
The former decorated midfielder of Chelsea and Tottenham is on the local coast ahead of Jeonbuk Motors' finals, on Thursday night of the Confederation of Champions of the Asian Football Confaction of the second stage (AFC) against the Sydney FC at the Allianz stadium on Thursday night.
Poyet, 57, is the head coach of the South Korean outfit.
After launching a scathing evaluation of the AFC, so he considered some recent disconcerting decisions, Poyet recalled how he could have played with artists such as Archie Thompson and Kevin Muscat in a victory shirt.
“My wife and I came to Australia in 2005, we used it (Uruguay World Cup qualifier) as an excuse to spend a week in Sydney,” he said.
'I was retired for about eight months and asked me at the stadium in the president's hall if I wanted to come to look at Melbourne's facilities (in the next few days).
The League League legend, Gus Poyet, has revealed that it was close to signing with Melbourne's victory in 2005 (in the photo, playing for Chelsea)
Poyet is on the local coast ahead of the confrontation of the quarterfinals of Jeonbuk Motors, the second stage of the AFC Champions League two against the Sydney FC on Thursday
“I was close, but I said no … I knew I would like the lifestyle and wanted to stay retired, it was over.”
Poyet, who was impressed by the socceroos who won that night with penalties, added that “he could have easily lived in Australia and referred to Sydney as a” beautiful place. “
Previously in what was an explosive press conference, Poyet criticized the AFC for changing the first game last week from his home in Jeonju to the Yongin Mireu stadium outside Suwon after the field was considered impossible to play.
Poyet was also baffled at Wednesday's press conference at the Sydney FC training field in Macquarie Park instead of the game's place in Moore Park.
'I had never been involved in something like this. I guess I'm still learning, 'he told reporters.
'His is the first time I make a press conference away from home in the training field of the opposite team at any level: level of the national team, level of the UEFA Champions League, national team with Greece.
For me, it's very strange. You usually do it in the stadium. 'I don't think it's common.
“I don't like this side … politics, decision makers of people who do not understand football, who have no idea.”
The start between Sydney FC and Jeonbuk Motors of Poyet is at 7pm on Thursday at the Allianz stadium.