Adelaide United coach Carl Veart says he is very happy the club has completed the signing of Stefan Mauk and that he will bring quality and leadership to the team.
Mauk, who was part of the Reds side that won the 2015/16 A-League Premiership and 2016 A-League Championship, signed a long-term deal that will see him in Red until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Speaking on Friday after his side’s final training session, Veart also praised Joe Gauci’s work ethic and dedication following the news he signed with Premier League side, Aston Villa and the influence that goalkeeping coach, Eugene Galekovic, is having on United’s young keepers.
Carl Veart on Stefan Mauk’s return:
“It’s something the squad needs, we needed to bring someone with the calibre of Stefan into the group. So we’re very happy, not just with the calibre on the pitch, but off the pitch his leadership. It’s going to be a great boost to the squad and it’s something that we’ve needed, especially over the last few weeks.”
Carl Veart on the time it took to sign Mauk:
“He’s been training with us for a while and we’ve known what Stef’s intentions have been for the whole time. And we’ve been patient with Stefan to give him that opportunity too, as he still had those aspirations to stay in Asia. But at this point in time we had to make a stance and say he has to make a commitment to us, and he has, so we’re looking forward to him adding some quality to our team for the rest of the season.”
Carl Veart on what Mauk will bring to the team:
“Stefan is a fighter. And he’ll bring that aggression that we’re sort of missing a little bit in the middle of the park. He makes those great late runs into the box and scores goals. We’re looking for all those things from Stefan and hopefully he can add some more goals to our team.”
Carl Veart on Joe Gauci’s move to Aston Villa:
“I don’t think it could be any better for Joe. We’re so happy for him. The work that he’s done to get to this point to give himself this opportunity to go to such a big club – it’s a credit to himself. The work that he’s been doing the last three and a half years since he’s come back to the club has been outstanding and he’s shown to all our young players at the club, if you’re prepared to do the right things and work hard and focus on yourself and getting the best out of yourself, the rewards will come. We’re very happy for Joe.”
Carl Veart on Eugene Galacavic:
“We’ve been very fortunate that Eugene is a very high-level goalkeeper coach, he was a very high-level goalkeeper as well. His experiences that he’s passed on to our young goalkeepers has been invaluable. And so now Euge is working on the next couple of young goalkeepers coming through. So hopefully we can get a couple more coming through like we’ve had over the last few years. But as you can see, since James has come into the team the last few weeks that he has hasn’t missed a step.”
Carl Veart on James Delianov’s form:
We’ve been very fortunate that we took that risk three years ago to bring two young goalkeepers in and let them fight it out for the number one position. And, you know, credit to both James and Joe, they worked extremely hard together and pushed each other over this whole course. James should take a little bit of that credit as well for pushing Joe to the level that he’s got to. Now it’s James’s turn. And hopefully, James keeps going on this trajectory that he’s been on the last few weeks.
Carl Veart on the defensive selection issues:
Pana (Panagiotis Kikianis) is coming into the into the squad for this weekend. With missing a couple of central defenders through injury and with Popa moving on as well. So, you know, Pana has been training exceptionally well, since I’ve come back from his long-term injury, so there’s an opportunity for him to maybe get some game minutes tomorrow.
Carl Veart on the Panagiotis Kikianis’ inclusion in the squad:
“Pana is a ballplayer central defender, so it’s the style of play we play, he likes to make those passes through the midfield, through the line. He’s someone that we’ve been working with a long time. He’s been with the senior group now for 18 months working with us. So we know exactly what we’re going to get from Pana. So hopefully if he gets an opportunity tomorrow that he does well.
