Perth Glory is proud to announce that Alen Stajcic has been appointed as the club’s new ISUZU UTE A-League Head Coach.
The 49-year-old, who most recently took charge of the Philippines national team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, has enjoyed an illustrious coaching career, notably guiding the Matildas to two Asian Cup Finals, the Quarter-Finals of the 2015 World Cup, the Quarter-Finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics and a highest-ever position of fourth in the FIFA World Rankings.
He also led Central Coast Mariners to the A-League Finals in 2020/21, won two Premierships and two Championships as Head Coach of Sydney FC Women and helped the Philippines qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals for the first time in the nation’s history.
Widely acknowledged as one of the most accomplished Australian coaches of the modern era, Stajcic is relishing the prospect of starting a new chapter in his career here in the West.
“I vividly recall the late 90s and early 2000s when Perth Glory revolutionised the National League with its connection to the city, its level of support and a team that was leading the way on the pitch,” he said.
“I believe an incredible opportunity now exists to re-establish Glory as one of the giants of Australian football and that vision is one shared by everyone at the club.
“I take great confidence from the groundwork which has been put in over the last year to set the club back on the path to success and am excited to help continue that process.
“Perth has a such a rich history in football and a rich history in developing players.
“It is our vision to once again give the Perth football community a team and a club which they can be truly proud of.”
Glory CEO Anthony Radich believes that the appointment of Stajcic represents a huge coup for the club.
“I am highly delighted and proud on behalf of our Members and supporters that we have been able to secure Alen as the new Head Coach of Perth Glory Football Club,” he said.
“He is someone who possesses all the attributes required to take this club forward both on and off the field and is the high-calibre appointment that Perth Glory needs and deserves.
“Alen is highly respected, not only as a coach, but very importantly, as a person of the highest character and integrity.
“He is someone who is renowned for being able to build strong cultures and positive, high-performing environments.
“He also possesses an in-depth understanding of the Australian football landscape, has experience in operating in austere and challenging environments and in developing youth and has consistently achieved success.
“Most importantly, Alen is a winner and he loves a challenge.
“His enthusiasm and desire to take on this role was inspiring, as was his deep love for the game and desire to make a meaningful difference.
“He clearly understands that the club needs to mean more than merely its on-field performance and that together, we need to grow the brand and integrate it as an important and respected part of the WA football and wider community to ensure its ongoing sustainability.”
A former Australia schoolboys representative and NSW Premier League player, Stajcic cut his coaching teeth by taking charge of the NSWIS Women’s Football Program in which he helped produce more than 30 senior international players between 2002 and 2013.
His first high-profile role in club football, meanwhile, came as Head Coach of Sydney FC Women and during his six seasons with the Sky Blues, they secured Finals football every year and claimed the Premiership in 2009 and 2011 and the Championship in 2009 and 2013.
That unparalleled success with Sydney FC earned Stajcic the role of Matildas Head Coach in 2014 and over the course of the following five years, they developed into a leading force on the world stage, reaching the last eight of the 2015 World Cup and appearing in two Asian Cup Finals.
Overall, the Matildas enjoyed a 56% win ratio under his charge and he was shortlisted for the Best FIFA Women’s Coach Award in 2018.
After parting company with the Matildas in 2019, Glory’s new Head Coach took charge of Central Coast Mariners and oversaw a transformation at the Gosford club which culminated in them securing a third-place finish in the ISUZU UTE A-League in 2020/21.
Stajcic then returned to women’s international football in October 2021 when he was appointed Head Coach of the Philippines national team and he duly led them to the AFF Women’s Championship title, the semi-finals of the Asian Cup and ultimately, qualification for the World Cup Finals.
His side went on to produce one of the most eye-catching results of the FIFA Women’s World Cup when they downed co-hosts New Zealand in the group stages.
He will arrive in Perth next week after the Philippines’ involvement at the FIFA Women’s World Cup came to an end and is set to be joined at the club by his long-standing Assistant Head Coach, Nahuel Arrarte and Analyst Stevan Antonic.
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