Number Five: William Gallas
Former Club(s): Marseille, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Perth Glory
Nationality: French
International Caps: 84 (5)
Linked to club: August 2013
2013 really was marquee-hunting season as Melbourne Victory added William Gallas to the list of high profile players on their shortlist in Ange Postecoglou’s second season at the helm. The Frenchman had recently been released by EPL side Tottenham Hotspur, and was linked with a host of other clubs, including Crystal Palace and eventual employers Perth Glory. While carrying more legs than the Carlton Cole rumour – Postecoglou confirmed his interest in the defender – Gallas eventually settled on a trip to sunny Australia, however the west coast was his destination to be.
Number Four: Gianfranco Zola (Manager)
Managerial CV: West Ham United, Italy U16, Watford, Cagliari
Nationality: Italian
Linked to club: January 2012, April 2012
While unproven as a coach, Gianfranco Zola was the big name to draw some much needed attention on Melbourne Victory during one of the worst troughs in the club’s history. Having cycled through four different coaches within the space of a year, Victory were in a mini-crisis in terms of stability off the pitch. With the sacking of coach Jim Magilton came word of Zola flying over to Melbourne to meet the board, and even talk of him being officially announced within a week of the news breaking. Unfortunately, his representatives put a dampener on the speculation, categorically denying any interest from his party. Zola – along with former Manchester United hardman Roy Keane – was also earlier linked with the top job after Mehmet Durakovic was sacked in January 2012.
Number Three: Fabio Grosso
Former Club(s): Renato Curi, Chieti, Perugia, Palermo, Inter Milan, Lyon, Juventus
Nationality: Italian
International Caps: 48 (4)
Linked to club: May 2012
The pantomime villain of the Socceroos 2006 World Cup campaign – earning that infamous late penalty in their Round of 16 loss – Italian defender Fabio Grosso was linked with a move Down Under; a rumour that wasn’t well received by the wider Australian footballing community. While no doubt a world-class player -who would’ve offered the Victory solidarity both in defence and with his classy delivery – the transfer was more of a Twitter pipedream, and no substantial offer ever eventuated. Adama Traore – who signed in March of the same year – made the left back position his own over the next two years.
Number Two: Giorgos Karagounis
Former Club(s): Panathinaikos, Inter Milan, Benfica, Fulham
Nationality: Greek
International Caps: 139 (10)
Linked to club: June 2013
It was a pre-season full of innuendo and rumour in regards to who would be Melbourne Victory’s marquee for 2013-14 A-League season. Enter the hard working and ever popular Greece national team skipper Giorgos Karagounis, to whom talks were rumoured to be quite advanced in June, 2013. The dynamic midfielder would’ve offered a pivot to turn defence into attack at an elite standard. Holding a wicked shot, and most importantly, a strong cultural link with the Greek Victorian community, Karagounis would have been a largely popular signing for the Victory. Two weeks later, Victory opted to sign Contreras, and Karagounis signed a year contract extension with the Cottagers before eventually retiring at seasons end.
Number One: Fabrizio Miccoli
Former Club(s): Casarano, Ternana, Juventus, Fiorentina, Benfica, Palermo, Lecce
Nationality: Italian
International Caps: 10 (2)
Linked to club: July 2013
Postecoglou’s long search for a marquee man looked to have come to an almighty halt in July of the same year when Serie A striker Fabrizio Miccoli was strongly linked with the Victory. However – much to his detriment – Miccoli was entrenched in his fair share of controversy, with the Italian said to have connections with the mafia during his stint in Sicily. Nevertheless, the technically gifted forward would’ve added another dimension to the Victory attack, and the Melbournians pursued him right until the end. Eventually, the lure of playing for his hometown club was too much, and the international put pen to paper with Serie C side Lecce. Miccoli himself cruely confirmed just how close the Navy Blues came to securing his signature.