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SYDNEY - Sydney FC may have crashed out of the A-League soccer championship race, but for under siege coach Terry Butcher the battle has only just begun.
Butcher, by far the most scrutinised coach in the competition this season, admitted the speculation over his position would only continue after he failed to deliver successive titles to the inaugural champions.
"There's always going to be speculation, and the finger will be pointed at me because we did not retain the championship," Butcher said after last night's 0-2 loss to Newcastle in the second leg of the elimination semifinal.
"I knew that before I came into the job, how difficult it was in terms of retaining the championship, but at the end of the day I've given it my best shot. We've had a lot of things happen to us this season, a lot of it self inflicted, but we've come a long way."
Sydney have been riddled by injuries and suspensions in 2006-07, but more destabilising has been the constant focus on Butcher's position.
Reports of player unrest and a failed bid from high profile backer Anthony LaPaglia to oust Butcher have been just two in a constant stream of controversies to dog the club.
While former coach Pierre Littbarski always appeared to have the full support of his charges out on the pitch, Butcher has clashed heatedly with players on more than one occasion -- most notably with Alvin Ceccoli early in the season and last night with skipper Mark Rudan.
The former England international, renowned for his fighting qualities as a player and coach, played down the significance of the Rudan spat after the captain, replaced late in the game with Sydney already down 0-2, had started to head down the tunnel.
"I just called him back and made sure he sat on the bench because we wanted to be in this together," Butcher said.
Almost from the start of his tenure Butcher, who has another season to run on his two-year deal, has had to withstand speculation about who may replace him should he fail to replicate Littbarski's achievements.
In recent weeks, Adelaide coach John Kosmina and Queensland Roar boss Frank Farina have been linked to the Sydney job -- although Farina has since signed a two-year deal to remain in Brisbane, and Kosmina is unlikely to leave the Reds just yet.
Butcher won't even have the luxury of an off-season to avoid the spotlight.
Having had their A-League finals hopes shattered by a relentless Newcastle, Sydney have precious little time to pick up the pieces before the Asian Champions League starts in one month.
- AAP
