His organisational skills, fierce determination and knowledge have taken the hard-nosed defender to the European Champions League, where he led his upstart Swiss club Thun against the might of Arsenal, Ajax and Sparta Prague.

Only 27 but with a wealth of experience, Milicevic could be the rock on which the Jets build a new era of success, much the same way as Manchester United built their treble-winning outfit on the wonderfully combative but unfailingly abrasive Roy Keane.

The danger is that for all his good intentions, Milicevic may only succeed in upsetting team harmony.

As much as Sir Alex Ferguson loved his captain, it is unlikely the Manchester United boss would have tolerated being told to "f--- off" at training.

Milicevic's blow-up with coach Gary van Egmond yesterday was not a one-off outburst.

The Herald has witnessed several heated exchanges between the former Melbourne Victory centre-back and teammates, coaching staff and even administrative staff.

Lauded for his leadership qualities, Milicevic has always been a man of strong opinions and is rarely afraid to express them.

One player, who did not want to be named, admitted that Milicevic's constant haranguing of teammates was "doing our heads in".

There is no question that the Jets needed an injection of steel after their lame defence of the A-League title a season in which they finished with the wooden spoon.

For his part, Milicevic says his rants are done to fire up the players and that was part of his brief.

On arriving in Newcastle last month, Milicevic made no secret of his ways.

"I don't want to overstep my mark, but every team I play in I want the boys to be the best they can be," he said.

"If everyone puts in an extra five per cent, the team will be a little bit better.

"There's a lot of talented young boys here, but they have to realise talent's not enough."

After his initial A-League stint with Melbourne Victory ended unhappily, Milicevic is no doubt desperate to make the most of the second chance the Jets have afforded him.

One things is certain: the Jets are a better team with Milicevic in it.

But for he and the Jets to reach their potential, he may just have to tone things down a bit.