After becoming the youngest ever Captain in Adelaide United’s history, Stefan Mauk says it is an extremely proud moment in his career.
Mauk is the fifth South Australian to be handed the armband and tenth overall to be given the honour.
The 25-year-old received the positive news in a meeting with Reds Head Coach, Carl Veart, Assistant, Ross Aloisi, and Goalkeeping Coach, Eugene Galeković – incidentally the latter pair previously served as Captains of the Club.
- READ MORE: Stefan Mauk appointed Reds Captain
“Growing up in Adelaide watching Adelaide United as a kid and always dreaming of playing at the Club and now to be appointed the Captain is a massive achievement,” Mauk told reporters at Coopers Stadium on Tuesday.
“I’m just really, really excited to get out there for the Round 1 game.”
The midfielder said while he is embracing the added duties which coincide with the role, he dismissed suggestions that there will be additional pressure.
“I don’t think there’s any added pressure,” Mauk believed.
“Obviously I haven’t done it before, but it’s one of those things where I’m just going to be myself.
“I think that’s the reason why Carl has chosen to be the Captain of the Club. I don’t think I need to change anything.
“I like going out there with that added responsibility, and I think that’s something that I’ll take in my stride.”
Meanwhile, Veart explained the decision to appoint Mauk as the new skipper, feeling he was the best candidate.
Teammates, Jordan Elsey and Ben Halloran, complete the remainder of the leadership group as vice-captains.
However, the tactician was quick to point out that the experienced players in the squad will still play a fundamental role.
“I think we’ve been quite open with the way we want the Club to go in the new direction,” he said to the media.
“We want to really get back involved with our community and I personally thought it was important that we had a South Australia captain to lead the team.
“I think Michael Jakobsen did a tremendous job last year and I’ve had a good chat with Jako about it and he’ll still provide a lot of leadership in the changeroom, in and around the team.
“And the other experienced players that we’ve got there James (Troisi), Ben (Halloran) and Jordan (Elsey).
“But once you get to know Stefan you know he’s very passionate and has a lot of leadership qualities and has a good connection with the younger players and will have a good connection with our supporters.”
Veart admitted he had given meticulous thought about keeping defender, Michael Jakobsen, in the leadership group after ceding the captaincy, but believed it was best for the Dane to focus solely on football without the extra responsibility.
“We want to get our players involved a lot more in the community,” Veart explained.
“I just think at Michael’s stage in his career I just want him to concentrate on playing football and not have to worry about doing outside stuff that the Captain and leaders will have to do.
“I still want him to be a big leader in the changeroom and on the pitch, and he will definitely do that.
“Just because he’s not wearing the armband it’s not going to change that he’s a leader in our group.
“I still talk to him a lot about what’s happening at training and the playing group, so he’s still heavily involved in that.
“But he just won’t have the commitments that the other leadership players will have and the commitment that Stefan will have outside playing on matchday and training.”
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