Vidmar on Maclaren's Future at Melbourne

 Vidmar on Maclaren's Future at Melbourne

Marcello of the Wanderers and City's Jamie Maclaren jostle during a corner during the A-League Men round 12 match between Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium, on January 12, 2024, in Sydney, Australia.(Image-Getty)

Melbourne City's head coach, Aurelio Vidmar, addressed speculations surrounding the future of star striker Jamie Maclaren amid reports suggesting he had declined a contract extension and was eyeing a move abroad. Dismissing the rumors on social media, Maclaren clarified on Instagram, stating, "Nothing real about this statement."

Facing questions about the situation before the Grand Final rematch against Central Coast Mariners, Vidmar expressed unawareness, emphasizing the need for internal resolution within the club. He stated, "I'm not aware of anything. Whatever it is within the club, they need to sort it out."

Highlighting Maclaren's contributions, Vidmar acknowledged the striker's significant impact, mentioning his seven big scoring chances, the most in the league along with other players. With seven goals in 12 Isuzu UTE A-League rounds, Vidmar praised Maclaren's excellence, expressing the club's desire to retain him: "We know the player Jamie is, and he’s been a great player for the club. Obviously, we’d love to keep him here. At the end, they need to decide what’s in the best interest of both parties. That’s out of my hands and control. Let's see where that goes."