Juan Mata’s agent has brutally lambasted Western Sydney Wanderers manager Alen Stajcic claiming that the football coach’s treatment of the ex-Manchester United star was ‘disgusting’.
The Spanish midfielder’s arrival at the club this September was greeted with great excitement among fans, with Stajcic having described the defender as a ‘priceless’ addition to the squad.
The 36-year-old is one of the most decorated players in world football having won a World Cup and a European Championship with Spain, while also winning the Champions League and Europa League.
But since leaving Man United in 2022, Mata has struggled for game time, having gone on to play for both Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe.
He made just 22 appearances across all competitions for both sides, averaging a meagre 29 minutes per game sparking worries over his fitness following his arrival in Sydney.
Juan Mata’s agent has slammed an Australian football coach for his treatment of the ex-Man United star
Alen Stajcic brought Juan Mata on for less than 10 minutes during his side’s win against Newcastle Jets on Friday
Mata’s agent is former footballer Fahid Ben Khalfallah, who played for Brisbane Roar, Melbourne and Troyes
While Mata has attempted to allay those concerns, Stajcic has previously suggested that the physicality and pace of the A-League could have caught the former Premier League star and several other members of his team off guard.
The Spaniard, a graduate of the Real Madrid academy, has made four league appearances this season for his new club, starting in two of those games. He was subbed off at half-time during his side’s recent defeat against Adelaide United before going on to play for eight minutes, during his side’s win against Newcastle Jets on Friday.
And his lack of game time appears to have infuriated his agent, Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
‘I think it’s just insane… I don’t understand,’ Khalfallah fumed while speaking on the A-League Off Air podcast.
‘When you bring [in] someone like him, you have to play him in a system that suits him. I couldn’t believe he only came on for eight minutes or whatever.’
Stajcic revealed after the Newcastle match that he was still trying to ‘work out’ his best eleven and where Mata fits into the team.
But Khalfallah continued: ‘I think it’s disrespectful. I hate it. I really, really hate it because it makes no sense to me.
‘And I’m so sick, so sick of those coaches saying, ‘Oh yeah, but the intensity (of the A-League)’… OK, we will talk about someone who won the World Cup, won the Euro, Champions League, played in England for 10 years – he’s always been one of the most intelligent and most technical players of his generation.
There was much fanfare around Mata’s (centre) arrival at the club with Stajcic (right) having lauded the midfielder’s work rate
But Mata’s agent has criticised the coach for the lack of playing time Mata has received since joining
‘He wasn’t quick, he wasn’t the strongest. So despite that, he was one of the best players in the world.
‘And we’re talking about A-League intensity? You must be kidding.
‘Put horses on the pitch, they will be running – but they can’t kick a ball, and they can’t play. They can’t pass the ball.
‘Seriously, I’m disgusted to hear that kind of stuff.’
Mata was seen putting ice on his foot after being subbed off after 45 minutes against Adelaide United last week.
Speaking after the match Stajcic had claimed the midfielder had ‘pulled up a little bit sore’, before noting that several other players in his side were wearing ice packs.
He added: ‘It’s the intensity of the A-League; I’ve said this many times over, it’s quite deceptive.
‘It’s a high-intensity football game, probably one of the most intense leagues around the world.’
Questions had been raised over Mata’s fitness prior to his arrival at the club, after he had struggled for game time with former club’s Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe
Stajcic revealed after the Newcastle match that he was still trying to ‘work out’ his best eleven and where Mata fits into the team
Stajcic, though, has previously lumped praise on Mata and what he’s brought to the team since joining the club.
‘He’s everything that we thought he was going to be, and more,’ he said.
‘Going back to human qualities and values, he’s brought in a tremendous amount already.
‘He’s so humble, He’s come in, and been willing to work hard and willing to learn, and been willing to spread his knowledge across the group.
‘His humility in and around the team is exactly the kind of culture that [Sydney’s] western suburbs people really appreciate and enjoy, not just our playing group, but the whole community.
‘And that’s not even talking about his qualities on the pitch. The leadership he brings on the pitch, the calmness, the composure, people learning from him in terms of his decision making and his movement, is exceptional.
‘He’s really an inspiring figure to have in the group.’