JOHN Aloisi has taken Brisbane Roar to within a win of the Grand Final in his first season in charge Here he talks to Simon Hill about his difficult times at Melbourne Heart, his Brisbane journey so far, the man he owes for the job and his thoughts on Sunday’s semi-final.

Simon Hill: Has this season been a surprise — because you walked into a club that was in some disarray when you arrived?

John Aloisi: It was a surprise that I walked into a club that was in such disarray! I knew a bit was going on — I just didn’t realise how much. But the boys have been brilliant from the word go. They have bought into what we are trying to do. They didn’t let the off-field stuff affect them, they stuck together. So the performances are not a surprise, because we have good players.

Simon Hill: Has it helped that you have had your brother, Ross, with you as your assistant?

John Aloisi: One thing I learnt from my stint at Melbourne Heart, was to make sure I had a lot of good people around me. Ross is one of them, but I also brought in Craig Moore, Scott Higgins as team manager, Karl Dodd, a whole new medical staff, a new youth coach in Josh McCloughan. They make my job a lot easier.

Ross and John Aloisi, Source: News Corp Australia

Simon Hill: The club now seems to be on a more even keel financially — the owners have recommitted, you have a new training facility on the way. Is that the reality, or is Roar still a cottage industry, in need of more investment?

John Aloisi: We’ve still got a long way to go. We haven’t got the new training facility yet, but hopefully soon. We have to make sure financially we are stable, but at the moment, we’re not where we want to be as a club.

Simon Hill: How has your approach changed at Brisbane from your days with Melbourne Heart?

John Aloisi: The main thing Heart gave me was the understanding of how much goes on away from the football field. I ended up having 12 different training grounds in six weeks there. So when I stepped in at Roar (and had a similar situation), I knew how to handle it, because I’d experienced it before. First time around I didn’t know, and maybe that affected me as a coach. You’re always evolving, and no doubt I’m a better coach now.

Simon Hill: During your time out of coaching, you went overseas to visit different clubs — what did those experiences teach you?

John Aloisi: I learnt a lot about how to get your philosophy across, and how to deal with big stars. They need to buy into how you want to play — for their own benefit as well. A lot of people said Roar had big egos, players who would do their own thing. But I haven’t found that; I have had no issues. Broich, McKay, North — they’ve been such good leaders. But the youngsters too. Jack Hingert had never been a regular, but he’s been one of our most consistent players.

John Aloisi of the Roar celebrates victory after the A-League Elimination Final match between the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium last weekend. Source: Getty Images

Simon Hill: Were there times — after Heart — when you felt you weren’t cut out for coaching?

John Aloisi: Getting the sack was a hard time for me, I won’t lie. It was one of the worst feelings ever. You don’t know the direction you are headed. I never doubted I was going to be a coach, but you never know when the next opportunity is going to come along. So, I made sure I was ready for it. Even doing media work with Fox Sports, I was always looking to improve my knowledge of the A-League, and the way I deliver messages too — because on TV you have to be very clear in the way you talk. Everything was to prepare myself when that opportunity came.

Simon Hill: I believe the national team coach was a big part of the reason you got the job at Roar?

John Aloisi: Yes, Ange Postecoglou was the reason I got the job. Chris Fong (then Chairman of Brisbane Roar), asked him for his opinion. He put my name forward, and suggested Brisbane give me an opportunity. He believed I was going to be a coach that could be successful. I’m grateful to him.

John Aloisi and Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou. Photo David Caird. Source: News Limited

Simon Hill: At the start of the season, you made two major signings for two key roles. Corona to fill the void left by Luke Brattan, and Jamie Maclaren to provide the goals that hadn’t been there since the departure of Besart Berisha. You must be delighted with your judgment on both?

John Aloisi: Not all your signings are going to come off, but I’d seen enough of Jamie to know he was going to suit us. I watched him at Perth under Ali Edwards, and I thought his movement was outstanding. He was someone I was really keen on, so when the opportunity came to sign him, I didn’t hesitate. Some questioned whether he could score double figures, but I was confident. With Corona, I knew the way we wanted to play through midfield would suit his game. He is exceptional on the ball, so intelligent. I knew he would fit in straightaway.

Jamie Maclaren and coach John Aloisi at Brisbane Roar training. Pic Jono Searle. Source: News Corp Australia

Simon Hill: How far can Jamie go in football?

John Aloisi: I think he can get to the highest level. This has been his first season of regular football. He will improve with another pre-season under his belt. He works on his movement, his runs, his finishing, and he can still improve on his link up play. We can all see his talent, and he has a lot of improvement left in him.

Simon Hill: On Sunday you face your old Socceroos teammate Tony Popovic. You’ve known each other for such a long time ... are there any football secrets left between the two of you?

John Aloisi: (Laughs) We know each other pretty well that’s for sure. But one thing I can guarantee, is that watching their team all season, and ours, it will be entertaining. Both like to play possession based football, both like to attack, and it’s going to be a real battle in midfield, with the Spanish contingent, Petratos, Nichols. So, I don’t think it’s so much about us, as two good teams.

Simon Hill: What’s the potential for a club like Brisbane — crowds seem stuck around the 13,000 mark — how do you make the great leap forward to make Roar a super-club?

John Aloisi: I think its about promoting the club more — and individuals, like Jamie Maclaren. Make them big stars here. The football we have played has been entertaining, and we’ve won a lot of home games, so we should be getting 20,000. It’s up to us as a club to promote it, make sure we are out there, and that people know we are playing. Then, when people do start to come along, hopefully they will stay.

Simon Hill: If you do get through — Adelaide (your home city) or Melbourne City (your old club) — any preference?!

John Aloisi: I really don’t have a preference, but if we do play Melbourne City it would be at home, so that would be nice. If it’s Adelaide, its in front of our family, so that would be nice too!

Simon Hill: If it was Adelaide, who would your family support?

John Aloisi: Only one answer to that — blood is always thicker than water!