Heat on A-League coaches as former top sides continue slump

PRESSURE continues to mount on Melbourne Victory coach Marco Kurz and Perth Glory counterpart Tony Popovic after their A-League sides slipped further down the ladder with losses in round seven.

Two of the top three clubs last season, Glory went down to Sydney FC 3-1 while Victory copped the same scoreline against Adelaide United.

Coaching against former club Adelaide for the first time, Kurz watched his side slide to a loss at Coopers Stadium, where he was once so admired.

Victory has one win from seven games and slumped to the bottom three after a third loss in their last four games.

“This can’t continue, not for Melbourne Victory, if this continues, they won’t even make the top six because that tonight was pathetic,” former Socceroo Mark Bosnich said on Fox Sports.

Last season’s Premiers Plate winner Perth has just one win from six and none from three at home, after falling to the Sky Blues in the grand final rematch at HBF Park.

German Markus Babbel was another coach feeling a trifle warm under the collar following Western Sydney Wanderers’ 3-2 home loss to ladder-leading Melbourne City.

Questioned about a contentious penalty award to City, Babbel said: “Is this a serious question? Serious question? F---’s sake. No comment.”

Pressed further on whether he thought Melbourne’s Denis Genreau dived, Babbel said: “You have two eyes. Do you understand the game a bit? F---ing have a look.”

The penalty awarded by Chris Beath was the most controversial decision of the round, although Sydney benefited from two line-ball offside calls. Sydney strikes Adam Le Fondre and Kosta Barbarouses each scored for a third straight game as Perth’s abysmal historical record against the Sky Blues continued.