Sign of faith ... Sydney FC are likely to re-sign Frank Farina. Source: AAP
Frank Farina's mini resurrection of Sydney FC could earn him the full-time coaching job at the Sky Blues as early as this week.
It is understood that the Sydney board has warmed to Farina and the job he has done in taking the club from a dispirited, rudderless, bottom-of-the-table unit 11 weeks ago to seriously challenging for a spot in the top six with eight matches left in the preliminary season.
Board members will assemble for their regular monthly meeting this week and while Farina is expected to attend only to provide an update on the way the team is performing, the coaching position is believed to be very high on the board's agenda.
Determined to get back on track after several lean seasons, Sydney has embarked on an exhaustive process over the last two months to find a high calibre coach with heavy emphasis on the overseas market.
The Sky Blues' two championship successes came with foreigners at the helm - German Pierre Littbarski in season one (2005-06) and Czechoslovakian Vitzeslav Lavicka in season five (2009-10) - and, up until recently, that was seen as the best option.
But, with time running out to find an overseas prospect who can adapt quickly to the requirements and standard of the A-League, plus the likely exorbitant wage cost - money probably better spent on players - the odds are shortening on the 48-year-old Farina.
Farina has some supporters within the Sydney board and they appear to have been highly impressed in the turnaround under what have been difficult circumstances.
Installed as an interim measure late in November after Ian Crook's resignation and with player and fan confidence near rock bottom, the former Socceroos boss has steadily transformed the squad.
Since he took charge, Farina has won four, drawn three and lost four, taking Sydney from bottom to eighth, equal on points (21) with sixth and seventh placed Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Heart, who have better for and against records.
Included in the wins is the 7-1 thumping of Wellington Phoenix three games ago and while many critics rate that the high point of the season so far for the Sky Blues, Saturday's backs-to-the-wall 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets is a far better pointer to where they are at right now.
Sydney went into the game heavily under-manned having lost attacker Yairo Yau (international duty), Brazilian defenders Tiago and Fabio (suspended) and the injured Brett Emerton and Jason Culina.
Farina's preparations were further thrown into chaos when classy striker Joel Griffiths was suspended under extraordinary circumstances after Football Federation Australia's match review panel decided to suspend him just 24 hours before the Jets game.
Griffiths was found guilty of using abusive language and gestures towards a match official in last week's loss to Melbourne Victory, leaving the Sydney boss to frantically reorganise his attack.
The Sydney of a few months ago would have capitulated even before a ball had been kicked in anger, but under Farina's regime this squad is made of much sterner stuff.
There is much more steel and character these days and the Sky Blues can justifiably feel a little hard done that they did not come away with all three points against Newcastle after the home side rescued a point with a late penalty.
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