The PS4 NPL Tasmania has seen its third coach depart in the space of three weeks, with Garbriel Markaj removed from his position as head coach of the Lions. The 22 year old was dismissed by the club on Monday evening, following an inflammatory outburst at a referee after his sides 5-0 defeat to South Hobart on Saturday.

Despite Markaj issuing a public apology the following day, the club decided that was enough and relieved him from his position and put out the following statement addressing the decision.

“Effective immediately Kingborough Lions United FC have released PS4 NPL TAS coach Gabriel Markaj from his NPL head coach role.”

“The Club apologises to the football community and its sponsors for the comments made in Saturday’s post-match press conference by Gabriel regarding match officials. 

“The views expressed by Gabriel do not reflect the views of the club, nor does Kingborough Lions United FC condone any disrespectful behaviour or comments of any nature towards match officials.

For the Lions, this is an all to familiar situation and once again Mark Broadbent is set to step in take over the side as the interim coach, taking the reigns for the remainder of the 2017 campaign. Broadbent twice filled the role in the 2016 season, stepping as interim coach following the departure of first Colin Robbins and  then Ian Shaw. The Former Knights coach brought some stability to the side in those tumultuous circumstances in 2016 and the club will be hoping he can help steady the ship and build for the future, with promotion and relegation looming in 2 years time.

Mark Broadbent will coach the side for the rest of 2017

It brings to an end a short lived but highly entertaining stint in charge from a manager who was not short of causing a stir in his short time in the league. Markaj’s flamboyant style, eyebrow raising comments and sideline behaviour made him a constant headline maker. He made an immediate impact when he brought in 10 players from interstate and set lofty expectations, which only dialled up the pressure up when the results failed to follow. It was ultimately those results that cost him, with his unacceptable post game behaviour on Saturday towards a respected referee, the final nail his coffin.

After taking a point from his first competitive game in charge against Launceston City, he came under pressure after losing the next four games, getting sent to the stands against Devonport and suffering a 10-0 smashing at the hands of South Hobart. Things appeared to have stabilised when they drew with Clarence and got a first victory over Northern Rangers, but two more losses coupled with his post game outburst brought an end to his time in charge at the Den.

Markaj released the following statement addressing his dismissal.

I came in Tasmania with a lot of hopes and passion, knowing that it was going to be tough, everyday I woke up and I promised to myself to be the best coach that I could of be to my players, but I wasn’t brave enough. I came here for media attention and for a learning experience and it’s funny how both of this came immediately but for things that I didn’t wish… like someone that I highly follow said ”media can be your best friend or your worst enemy” and I never thought I would learn it so quickly. I am now in the middle of the media attention and they expect to tell my side of the story about the club’s decision but there isn’t one… I know it’s not what everyone at the media would expect to hear but I have nothing against Kingborough other than respect and love for the club. Kingborough Lions United F.C. it’s a great club and it should be put under the light for their future because they have great plans for the future and for the local talent that only I stopped because of my irrationality. Kingborough Lions United F.C. did everything to alert me and help me from the interstate signings to the locals that I dismissed, they pay me every single cent, they look after my accommodation, they look after my career and they supported my decisions. But logically after what everything happened they had enough and felt sorry for me but couldn’t keep going with my silly mistakes and decisions.

Only now I realised that I was dissembling a club that when I took was progressing and for that reason I want to apologise to everyone involved in the game for my decisions and all the damage that I caused to the club. However, I have full believe in a bright future for the club and already with the decision that they made of my dismissal are proving it to the community. I would like to thank all the people that room the time to call or txt me and once I will be emotionally more stable I will take the time to thank you one by one. I would like to thank you to all the players that I met from the mini Roos to the social teams and thank you for supporting my childish behaviour and wish you the best. I would like to also thank you the secretary of the club, the media, the committee, technical director, president and members of the club for all the patience that everyone had.

And finally I would like to thanks my NPL squad and especially coaching staff for always listening to my complains, long talks, half time speeches and mostly thank you for the time and effort that we put in together to make my ideas work. I will never be able to repay you and give you the effort that you put in but what I can do is wish you guys the best and I learnt a lot from this experience. I won’t make any further comments regarding this decision. I take all responsibility from my decisions and word and for who knows me and know what coaching means for me would also know that I am paying the consequences of my actions and taking notes for the future. I will now take some time to reflect about myself and this learning process and complete my A-License next week and probably re-start everything from a junior level and create my future once again somewhere in the world hoping for a better end and hoping to make proud my family and the people that believed in me.

Thank You, Gabriel Markaj