New Brisbane Roar manager Robbie Fowler has made an immediate impact at the club, with 14 players departing following a disastrous season that saw them finish second-last.
While some have retired, the majority will have to look for new clubs next season. Among those are Eric Bautheac, Alex Lopez, Luke DeVere and Tobias Mikkelsen.
The decision to release a large part of the squad signals Fowler’s intention to rebuild the team and bring in players that will suit his tactics.
While there was hope prior to the beginning of the season, it soon faded as the Roar had only one win to their name by the end of January.
Former manager John Aloisi resigned in December after disappointing results and the club then appointed Darren Davies as their caretaker manager.
The Roar only won four matches for the season and conceded 71 goals – the most ever let in by a club throughout a campaign in the A-League.
While Fowler will bring more players in, those that currently remain at the club have a good chance of impressing their new manager.
21-year-old Dylan Wenzel-Halls has been a shining light in a dark period for Brisbane and has so far scored five goals in 20 league appearances.
Fellow 21-year-old Nicholas D’Agostino also played well for the Roar this season and can add to his 35 matches, while 17-year-old Izaack Powell made an impressive debut for the club against Sydney FC in February and has a big future in the game.
Next season will be a big one for Brisbane, as they hope to return to the top again. While Fowler has not had as much managerial experience as other candidates, he certainly has achieved a lot throughout his career which can massively benefit the Roar.
