SYDNEY—Sacked Brisbane Roar coach Frank Farina says he still has a future in Australian football despite being unceremoniously dumped for a second drink-driving offence.
The coaching career of Queensland soccer's former golden boy is in tatters after he was caught driving at twice the legal blood-alcohol limit last weekend.
But despite the controversy, and his ignominious departure from the Roar, Farina remains upbeat about his future in football, and even his career in Australia.
"I'm still only 45, so I'd like to think that I've still got a future in football," he told ABC Radio's Sunday Profile program.
"Whether that be in coaching or in another capacity I'm not sure.
"But first and foremost I want to get through this period, and then I'll reassess or assess where I'll go from here."
Farina was confident he wouldn't be forced overseas if he wanted a job, saying his track record as a player and coach would stand him in good stead.
"It depends if anyone is prepared to take a chance on me," he said.
"The proof will be in the pudding, further down the track. But with what I've done throughout the years with Australian football, I'd like to think I've still got some credit left."
Farina said the way he had been treated by the Brisbane Roar had been the most humiliating point of his career, even worse than when he was sacked in 2005 as coach of the Socceroos.
The club's decision to tear up Farina's contract has sparked a messy legal stoush over his severance package, with the former Socceroos player and coach angry at the meagre severance package offered to him by the club.
Brisbane offered him just three months pay to leave the club, while Farina has demanded he be paid out of his $250,000-per-year contract, which ends in 2010-11.
Farina has repeatedly said he was being treated as a scapegoat for the cash-strapped club's poor season, on and off the field.
"I think it's really sullied my reputation," he said.
"I've said I've made a mistake, but to have people on your front lawn, walking up to your doorstep and ringing the doorbell.
"I'm big and ugly enough to be able to handle that, but when you're talking about children and my wife it makes it a little bit difficult."
Farina said he enjoyed a drink, but denied having a drinking problem.
The soccer legend said he had spent a Friday night at home watching two A-League games on television, and although he admitted drinking too much, thought he was alright to drive the next morning.
"I got up. I was completely feeling fine. I thought there was no problem whatsoever, and hence I got in the car," he said.
"I made a mistake in judgment and, unfortunately, as I said, I'm paying for that now in a big, big way."
