Brisbane Roar have hired Ben Cahn as the club’s new head coach – the club’s fifth in 21 A-League Men’s games – in response to their historic City drubbing.
First-year coach Ross Aloisi quit his post last month after just nine games to link as an assistant with Kevin Muscat at Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port.
The Roar were then thumped 8-1 by Melbourne City – the competition’s equal-biggest losing margin – in their first game under interim Luciano Trani.
Roar chief executive Kaz Patafta had said Trani would lead the side for the rest of the season.
But on Monday, in the wake of their City hiding – after a “meticulous review of our entire football department” – the new Roar chief had changed his tune.
“We are proud to convey that the off-field challenges which have long cast a shadow over our club are now largely a thing of the past,” Patafta wrote in a club statement.
“However, last Thursday’s match has necessitated swift and decisive action.
“To that end, we are accelerating our appointment process for a new A-League Men’s head coach.”
Less than an hour later the Roar announced Cahn as the new head coach until the end of next season.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
His first game in charge will be in Brisbane against Sydney FC on January 6 – 20 games after Warren Moon was punted in February last year.
Cahn’s had stints at Melbourne Knights, Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Olympic FC.
He won the 2023 NPL Victoria and 2020 NPL Queensland Coach of the Year gongs.
“I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity,” he said.
“I’m very grateful to management and the owners for backing me and trusting me to help them take the club forward.
“The new management have done a fantastic job in a short time in the face of a lot of adversity to stabilise the football club off the field, and I’m very excited to work with them to help deliver their vision for taking the club in to the future.
“I’m well aware that it’s a challenging time, the players have had to deal with a lot of disruption, but it’s a great time to set the standards for the journey forwards and for everyone to stand up and give everything.
“It’s a strong playing group with a strong mentality, and I’ve got every belief we can continue and build on the positive early-season progress and give everything to compete at the top end of the league.”
The club had started well under former assistant Aloisi, who had gone four games unbeaten before comprehensive back-to-back losses either side of his departure.
Trani will remain as Cahn’s assistant.
“Ben’s appointment is a statement of our ambition,” Roar chief operating officer Zac Anderson said.
“His philosophy and methods are in complete harmony with the Roar’s DNA, and his hunger for success mirrors our aspiration as a football club.
“We’ve witnessed his ability to elevate young talent to new heights, which aligns perfectly with our club’s vision.
“His innovative approach to the game will bring an exciting era of success to Brisbane Roar.”
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