Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Lessa Is More For Sriwijaya
It seems to be the new thing in Indonesia. Why wait for the new season before changing coach? Sriwijaya last week announced they would not be renewing Widodo Cahyono Putro's contract following a less than stellar pre season where they won one game in the President Cup. In Widodo's place has come Osvaldo Lessa, a Brazilian coach who has previously worked with Persipura as an assistant to Jacksen F Thiago and even replaced his compatriot for a short spell before being released.
It seems a strange choice. Widodo is widely considered one of the more promising coaches in the country and for me at least his Sriwijaya side were one I enjoyed watching in the Indonesia Soccer Championship. Goals were guaranteed! Unfortunately they tapered off in the second half of the campaign and finished a disappointing fourth, a long way off the champions Persipura.
Club President Dodi Reza feels the club have made a good choice. 'Osvaldo already knows Indonesian football so he can adapt quickly. He is also familiar with some of the players in the squad.'
It could be argued Widodo is also familiar with Indonesian football and is also familiar with the players.
Lessa can't expect a honeymoon. The club are targeting the title in the new season which starts in two weeks time.
# posted by Me @ 7:25 AM 
