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Alen Stajcic’s availability in the coaching market is a major talking point in the football industry at present and Football Australia seems set to bring the former Matildas coach back into the fold.
Stajcic, who took the Philippines to the semi-finals of the recent Women’s Asian Cup, and thus clinched a first ever World Cup spot for the Asian team, isn’t confirmed as their coach for the 2023 event.
It is understood Stajcic has been approached by a number of national associations and domestic clubs about his services. He is keeping his options open according to sources.
In news that will thrill Australian fans, it is believed Football Australia (FA) asked Stajcic to apply for the vacant Olyroos job, which was vacated by Graham Arnold after the Tokyo Olympics.
David Zdrilic initially got offered the gig but turned it down to stay at Genoa in Italy.
FA have restarted the process to find a new candidate, with Stajcic firmly in their sights along with the likes of Luke Wilkshire, Brad Moloney and Tony Vidmar.
FA looks very different to the personnel that were there in 2019 when he was removed from his position as Matildas coach, and being the ultimate professional that he is, it’s believed Stajcic is open to a role with an Australian national team.
Which team it will be is an intriguing question.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Apart from the Olyroos, the Socceroos coaching position will also become a key talking point, especially if Australia don’t make it to Qatar. Arnold’s team have to beat Japan and Saudi Arabia in their last two games to make it to the World Cup, if they don’t, they will need to go through a tough playoff process.
If they don’t get there and Arnold loses his job, Stajcic coaching the Socceroos would be an interesting prospect.
Along with Ang Postecoglou, Stajcic is up there with the best coaches Australia has ever produced. His relationship with Australian players and other Australian coaches is outstanding. This hasn’t always extended to FA’s board, however, a number of present board members are big fans of the coach who took the Matildas to a number four world ranking.
A number of A-League clubs will be looking for new coaches in the 2022/23 season. This could be for men or women. With pressure on the APL to extend the A-League Women’s to a full time competition, if Stajcic was available, he would undoubtedly be a major target.
In the men’s space, clubs like Western Sydney Wanderers, Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC and Macarthur FC may well be in the market.
The Wanderers have Mark Rudan on trial for now and he has two wins and two losses to show so far. The Wanderers haven’t made finals in four years. Stajcic took the Central Coast Mariners to finals after six years in the wilderness in 2020/21. So he wouldn’t be unfamiliar with a tough task.
The Roar’s Warren Moon is under pressure with his side second last on the ladder this season after coming fourth in 2020/21.
Steve Corica’s Sky Blues have recovered after a rocky start to the season, but a fresh voice after four seasons for a team that has lost the invincibility of previous years may be a goer. Ante Milicic at Macarthur is rumoured to have offers overseas leaving a potential spot open at Campbelltown.
While Australian fans would love to see Stajcic stay down under, there is every possibility he may go overseas.
It is understood he has had interest from a women’s club in Europe, a men’s national team, and of course the Phillipines WNT who will be looking to cause an upset or two.
No matter where he chooses to go, it’s fair to say Stajcic, similarly to Postecoglou, will have a large portion of the Australian football population behind him.
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