Ernest Faber’s controversial stint at Adelaide United is over – he should be lauded for his impact

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Season 25/26 of the A-League is already shaping up to be one of the most closely contested since the competition’s inception 21 years ago.

Like any A-League season, though, there is always a constant stream of players and coaches looking for greener pastures.

Whilst the looming futures of Alen Stajcic, Arthur Diles, and who Perth Glory will pick as their next coach have been the talk of the league, the departure of the much-maligned Adelaide United technical director Ernest Faber has barely been reported.

The controversial Faber leaves Adelaide after 18 months to take over the dual role of Manager and Technical Director at Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo.

In another quiet move, the hugely popular head of football at United, Marius Zanin, who worked very closely with Faber, has left his role to work with the United women’s team.

European technical directors in the A-League are a rarity, although Adelaide previously had Barcelona icon Guillermo Amor in this exact role a decade ago.

It is normally an eye-opening culture shock, with Australian players and coaching staff not used to how things are done in Europe.

A Technical Director in football is responsible for the club’s technical and strategic development, which includes the playing philosophy, overseeing player and coach development programs, and managing staff.

They are responsible for implementing coaching standards, monitoring performance, and ensuring the club’s long-term vision is executed across all levels.

The Dutchman’s arrival immediately ruffled the feathers of long-term Adelaide United coach Carl Veart. To say they had a frosty relationship is an understatement.

Carl Veart. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Faber was ever-present at the side’s training sessions and would talk with players on and off the pitch during these sessions. It was also not uncommon for Faber to speak with the club’s leadership group behind Veart’s back to get their views on a number of topics.

Pressure was starting to mount on Veart when he was asked to alter the swashbuckling attacking style that fans around the league loved for a more controlled, possession-based playing philosophy.

It was no surprise that Veart’s contract was not renewed at season end, and he was followed out the door by club legend and assistant Travis Scott, who fired some parting shots at Faber in an explosive interview with Channel 7.

The playing style that Veart would not budge from has altered to what Faber demanded under new Adelaide coach Airton Andrioli.

Andrioli’s team is playing crisp and fast one-touch football while showing they can control as well as close out a match, which sees the side as a dark horse for the title, when most fans had written them completely off this season.

Players that Faber found not good enough were also ostracised, with Josh Cavallo and Ryan Tunnicliffe making some extraordinary claims at the end of season 24/25.

In Europe, it is not unusual for coaches to be undermined or players to be frozen out on the advice of a club’s technical director. Faber’s decision-making on those two fronts can’t be faulted, but what about transfers that Faber was responsible for?

Bart Vriends has shown that he is a capable, if not erratic, centreback; Joshua Smith has looked promising as a commanding goalkeeper; and Juan Muniz’s passing range has caught eyes around the league.

The jury is still out on teenage project Julian Kwaaitaal and experienced Brazilian Anselmo, who has been struggling with injuries, but Faber also gets a pass mark for recruitment during his short tenure.

Faber’s day-to-day duties are being overseen by the manager of the PSV Coaching Academy, Mitch Van Gellekom. It would not be a surprise to anyone to see him take over the vacant Technical Director or Head of Football positions at Adelaide United.

Ernest Faber’s time at United opened up players’ and coaches’ eyes to what European football is like; he should be lauded for this instead of the barrage of criticism he has received.