Harry Kewell's journey of redemption: From rock bottom to the top

Harry Kewell was deemed not cut out for the Dugout life but has had a remarkable turnaround off late.

Harry Kewell, one of the greatest Australian national team players off all time and one of their finest exports to Europe, was present at the grand stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His boots danced and made opposition defenders dance the former in hope the other becoming hopeless. As the curtains began to close down on his career, a new chapter awaited – a chapter not marked by goals, but by everything that cannot be seen which goes Into the making of a goal off the pitch. Kewell's journey is that of years of toil out on the touchline never losing hope despite the odds being against you. The power of never giving up and as a result eventually wining the war though he had lost many battles.

The Struggles

Harry Kewell’s foray into coaching journey began with a whimper, a far cry away from the bug name clubs, roaring stadiums and European nights, training the future of Watford with the U-21. Here, he laid the foundation of his coaching philosophy, nurturing young talents. 

His transitioned to big boy football by taking up the gig of becoming the head coach at Crawley Town. It was the first real test of what he was made of as a a manager at the senior level but left after just more than an year at the league two outfit where he guided them to 14th. His next move to Notts County promised a fresh start, but it was not the fresh dawn he had hoped for  and packed  his bags towards  a swift exit. English fifth tier clubs, Oldham Athletic and Barnet followed, each stint shorter than the last, each dismissal breaking his managerial identity apart bit by bit into bits. 

The growing sentiment was that he was just another player and was given a pass in Management only due that and his incompetence had been found out as a manager. A loud minority also had the following sentiment for Harry Kewell the coach — “Coaching is not for you”.

The Turning Point 

Harry Kewell’s story was far from over as a legend of such mettle was not about to give up so easily. In December 2023, he found a new home in Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos. From the land of blue lock, he began to weave his magic as magical as the anime mentioned before leading the team to the brink of glory in the AFC Champions League. His team navigated an exciting journey to the final. However, just like the rest of his career, it was not a smooth sailing at all. 

After finishing on top of Group G with an impressive 12 points, they just managed to edge past Bangkok United in a nail-biting RO16 tie, winning 3-2 on aggregate. His side then overcame Shandong Taishan with a convincing 3-1 aggregate score over two legs, before getting one better of Ulsan Hyundai in the semi-finals to get a shot at winning the whole thing. 

The man once cast off by many was now having a second wind or it could be that he is just getting started. Now, as the final loomed Kewell stands on the brink of a career defining moment as a win here could elevate his profile massively and add silverware to his managerial cabinet. 

A triumph here against another legend of the games, Crespo would not only shut his critics  down but also write his name in history books as just the second Australian coach to win the AFC Champions League. This was his chance to show the world that as a manager he was not going one step forward two steps back but only marching forward from here on in.

The Anti Climactic Showdown 

As fate would have it, Harry Kewell’s Yokohama F. Marinos got the chance to face Hernan Crespo‘s Al Ain in the second leg of the final on 25 May. It was a poetic encounter, echoing their clash as players in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final. Kewell’s past and present intertwined on this grand stage but it was Al Ain who ended up emerging victorious that day ,but a journey that Harry would be proud of nonetheless.

Cover Credits - Sky Sports