Bruno to leave Next Step FC? 

I wrote earlier in the month about Bruno and the player he is and the great relationship I have with him. This week he announced, on his social media that he was a free agent and it’s left some Next Step fans confused and concerned about our ambition. 

To read our interview with Bruno click here

The Ethos Of The Club…… 

First and foremost I need to make clear to all fans that there are very few coaches you will meet more ambitious than myself. Working with top players is vital to the development of the club and the young players were bringing through. However the clubs policy is to develop players to move onto bigger clubs. We sign all first team players on 3 year contracts and within that three years we have an agreed development plan and what we want them to achieve at the end of that time. If that happens sooner then of course we’re delighted. 

Why is There An 8 Month Break?

The CPL decision to have an 8 month break was met with mixed opinion. For every foreign player in the country they need to play. They want to earn money and 8 months not playing waiting is a death sentence. I spoke with Bruno at the end of last season and asked him to give me half a season more. If he wasn’t happy with the new set up and level of the club then we’d happily facilitate any move he wanted. We agreed. The long gap meant we had to change and the club couldn’t hold him back given our logistical decision not to enter the League Cup. 

To read about the Cambodian Premier League Awards click here

What Happens Next is Not Up To Us….

Whatever Bruno decides to do next is up to him. Every Next Step player was told at the end of the season that we would release them because they deserved a chance under better circumstances. However we did tell those who decided to go trial somewhere else that we would not be waiting for them to be their last choice. We would of course allow them back to be part of our project but they would have to start again with us. 

Bruno has earned the right to go try his qualities in a higher division. I have no doubt in his talent. What the club cannot do is stand still waiting and the transfer activity done by us behind the scenes already will show indicate what we plan for the season ahead.

And if nothing else we will always be grateful for That goal