In February 2013, Mike Mulvey sat in a dark bunker under a creaking grandstand at Ballymore and explained the basis of his coaching philosophy, which could be boiled down to two words: 'No bullshit.'
At the time, he was new to the job, paddling in the deep end and barely wanted by his own fans. The 'Mulvey Out' sign, deployed at a home game right after he was given a contract extension, has become Roar folklore.
Mulvey survived, the Roar have thrived and more silverware headed north. Now, 50 games later, the Brisbane gaffer takes charge of a side that once again finds itself trying to remain the benchmark of an ever-improving domestic league. The wolves are gathering outside the door.
It hasn't been an easy start for the defending champions, who host Sydney FC on Friday night with nary a point to their name. Defeats at the hands of Adelaide and Perth have exposed some early cracks and Mulvey will be focused on a week of correcting 'fine detail' rather than celebrating his mini-milestone.
The coach won't spend any time walking down memory lane but Mulvey's 50-game reign is worthy of some exploration, mostly because of the humble footings on which he has earned his A-League chops.
Many Roar fans felt a higher-profile name was needed to replace Ange Postecoglou and ensure the Roar continued their 'dynasty', as Postecoglou had often proclaimed during his twin-title run.
Instead, they got Mulvey, an accomplished coach in the youth and women's game but seen as more of a caretaker, or an assistant. Wisely, he kept many of the systems, slowly adding his touches rather than cleaning out the cupboard completely.
Now Mulvey can rightly be recognised as one of the best coaches in the Australian game; an astute tacticitian and manager that relentlessy pushes the values of hard work and honest reflection among his players.
"The only way that will be satisfying to me is if we play very well and please our fans by bringing home three points," Mulvey said of his half-century, which he will keep a predictably low-key affair.
Mulvey made his way past all of the hurdles in his way thus far but the fresh season brings new and difficult challenges. In the departing Besart Berisha, he lost one of the A-League's deadliest boots. And Ivan Franjic's class on the left edge won't be quickly replaced.
In comes Mensur Kurtisi, who will further test Brisbane's habit of unearthing low-profile imports and turning them into stars. The salary cap has done its job and Mulvey must hope Kurtisi's goal against Perth is a sign of a productive purchase.
"You could say we've dominated the A-League for the past four years, overall. If I was in an opposing camp that wasn't winning, I'd be out doing everything I could under the sun to improve, like we're doing," Mulvey said.
"The salary cap is there to even out things. But we don't want to be evened out – we want to stay ahead of the pack. That's our challenge."
Like Postecoglou before him, Mulvey has done his best to implement protocols at the Roar that ensure success regardless of player movements and natural variations in form. A flat start doesn't present as a huge concern, particullarly given the Roar's tendency to be able to hold their form once they find a winning rhythm.
"I believe very strongly in what we're doing. Everything we do we do with conviction. We played very well on Sunday but didn't come away with the win. It's just a question of getting back into that winning groove," Mulvey said.
"Against Perth, we dominated the game for long periods. There was a momentum shift and we didn't stop it. We got back in front and allowed the momentum to turn again. But overall, I'm more than convinced we're on the right track."
The proof will be in the pudding on Friday night against a Sydney outfit still stinging from defeat against Adelaide in the FFA Cup. Mulvey might be an iceman after two losses. Three might turn up the heat.
