The Western Sydney Wanderers have unveiled former Adelaide United boss Josep Gombau as their coach for the next three years.
The announcement of the new coach, coming with four weeks of the 2017-18 season already completed, comes after former boss Tony Popovic sensationally quit less than a week before the start of the A-League to take up a job with Karabükspor in the Turkish Süper Lig.
Hayden Foxe has been the caretaker coach while the search for a permanent replacement was underway, with the Wanderers yet to lose this season. They won their season opener 2-1 over the Perth Glory and have since drawn with the Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets.
Gombau began his coaching career in 1993 and spent his first decade in Spain at Amposta. He then spent six years with the Barcelona youth team, before coaching Adelaide United during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
Under the guidance of the Spanish-born coach, Adelaide won the FFA Cup in 2014-15 and made the finals in both seasons, falling to the hands of Sydney FC 4-1 in the 2015 semi-finals.
Gombau said he was looking forward to the challenges ahead of leading the Wanderers.
“For me, this is an amazing opportunity at one of – if not the biggest – clubs in the A-League,” said Gombau.
“As part of the national team coaching unit I came to watch the Wanderers play often to monitor players, and the atmosphere has always been something special.
“Our first step is to build this attacking style together so that our brand of football is fast and is possession based. I like to play the way that honours keeping the ball, and I believe that this group of players at the Wanderers will take this style to another level.
“We have a strong team, so I want to get straight to work. I know the players want this too. We will build on our style, we will play to win – and we will play for the people of Western Sydney.”
Since leaving United, Gombau has served as an assistant to Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou and was also the Olyroos boss, but will leave both of those teams to take up the spot with Western Sydney.
Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer said the appointment came after an extensive search.
“After an extensive worldwide search we are confident we have chosen the best candidate for the job,” said Lederer.
“Josep is a man of impeccable character; he is a family man and has great credentials to fit into our operations to continue the growth of this fantastic football club.
“We have a shared vision for how the Wanderers can develop and shared ambitions for our future – mark my words, we have a bold plan for this football club and I look forward to having Josep lead our team this season and beyond.”
The Wanderers’ next match is on Monday night against Melbourne Victory, with Gombau to take charge of the squad after that match.
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