Uruguayan Legend’s Stunning A-League Revelation: I Came ‘Close’ to Signing with Melbourne Victory!

Former Tottenham and Chelsea player Gus Poyet disclosed that he was presented with the opportunity to join Melbourne Victory in the Isuzu UTE A-League during a remarkable press conference held in Sydney on Wednesday.

Poyet, who is currently in Sydney as the head coach of South Korea’s prominent Jeonbuk Motors, is gearing up for the second leg of their AFC Champions League Two quarter-final against Sydney FC, a match in which the latter holds a 2-0 advantage.

On the eve of Thursday night’s much-anticipated encounter, the 57-year-old reflected on how close he came to joining the A-League two decades ago, during an engaging pre-match press conference.

Poyet, who collected four titles with Chelsea — including the FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup — as well as the Copa America, was in Sydney with his wife for the legendary 2005 FIFA Men’s World Cup play-off between the Socceroos and his home nation of Uruguay.

It was at Stadium Australia where the recently retired 26-time Uruguay international was approached by a representative from Melbourne Victory.

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“I’ve got a good story to lighten the mood,” Poyet, who has managed Brighton and Hove Albion, Sunderland, Real Betis, AEK Athens, Shanghai Shenhua, and Greece among others, shared with journalists.

“Back then, someone from Melbourne Victory approached me with an offer to come play. In the director’s box at the stadium. I was already retired.”

“He told me to come to Melbourne, check out the training facility, watch the game, and then make my decision.”

“I said no, I’m not going. He asked why not, as I had nothing to lose. I replied that I would probably enjoy it and I didn’t want to keep playing. I preferred to stay away (laughing).”

“But I was close to making it happen. I had already been retired for eight months. I was done. Nevertheless, I had a wonderful week here with my wife.”