Home defeat to Perth Glory before Christmas first kicked Sydney FC into an approach to new coach Vitezslav Lavicka. Kosmina was eventually sacked by Sydney over a month later as Lavicka told the Sunday Telegraph of a phone call from Sydney FC board member, Scott Barlow - Traktovenko's son-in-law - on December 24.

It was three days after Sydney had been booed off the pitch by home fans in a loss to Perth.

"After that, in the next weeks, we discussed it,'' said Lavicka.

The new coach has also revealed Steve Corica has shelved plans to retire.

"I spoke with him and asked him if he wanted to play. He said to me 'I want to play','' Lavicka said.

"He's a very experienced and important player in my opinion, for the whole team. He's a very smart player.''