Perth Glory's quest to find a permanent replacement for sacked coach David Zdrilic has stretched into a third week, missing the club's self-imposed deadline to secure a new leader by the end of the November international window.
Interim Coach Stays On As Search Continues
Current interim manager Adam Griffiths is set to remain in his caretaker role for at least one more match as the struggling club prepares to face Newcastle Jets next Sunday. Glory are still chasing their first victory of the A-League Men season under Griffiths' temporary guidance.
The coaching crisis emerged when Perth Glory dismissed David Zdrilic after just two rounds of the new season. This decision came despite the club backing him during the off-season, even after he delivered the wooden spoon in the previous campaign.
Limited Options Complicate Appointment
Chief executive Anthony Radich had initially confirmed preliminary discussions with several candidates following Zdrilic's dismissal, emphasizing the club's preference for an experienced option. At the time, Radich expressed hope that a successor would be in place after the November international window, which concludes on November 18.
However, with players now returning to training after their break, the identity of Glory's next coach remains unknown. The club faces increasing limitations in their search, with top candidate John Aloisi already out of contention.
Former A-League Men's title-winners Nick Montgomery and Patrick Kisnorbo present additional challenges, as Perth Glory appear reluctant to overhaul their backroom staff. The club invested significantly in the off-season, bringing in Griffiths as an assistant, goalkeeping coach Kristian Barbuscak, and performance director John Lucas to support Zdrilic.
Staffing Constraints and Candidate Challenges
Any new coach joining Perth Glory would have very limited scope to bring their own support personnel, creating another hurdle in the appointment process. Meanwhile, Griffiths has been transparent about his desire to secure the permanent position and will interview for the role.
The club has reportedly shown interest in former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, but the 62-year-old remains focused on guiding Iraq to their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. Even if Iraq fail to progress after their 1-1 draw against UAE in the second leg of qualifying, Arnold would likely demand his own support staff, creating potential conflict with Glory's current structure.
With the international window closing and options narrowing, Perth Glory's leadership faces increasing pressure to resolve their coaching situation as they seek to turn around their disappointing start to the season.
