• Alen Stajcic had previously coached Australia’s national women’s team, Sydney FC Women, and Central Coast Mariners

• He led Australia women’s team to the finals of two AFC Asian Cups - in 2014 and 2018

• Stajcic also took the Matildas to the quarter-finals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics

Shilarze Saha Roy

They say love knows no boundaries, and for Alen Stajcic, that adoration lies in coaching Australian teams. The renowned 49-year-old manager has had successful stints with various A-League — Australia’s top division league — clubs and had coached the Australian national women’s team from 2014 to 2019. In his role as the Philippines women’s team head coach between 2021 and 2023, Stajcic also successfully guided the country to its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals. Now, he is set to return to his home soil once again, taking the reins of the A-League outfit Perth Glory. It will also mark Stajcic’s return to Australian men’s football. With the 2023-24 season on the horizon, the stage is set for Alen Stajcic to work his magic and transform the underdogs into a force to be reckoned with.

So far, Stajcic’s coaching journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His coaching career began to flourish when he took charge of the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) women’s football programme from 2002 to 2004. During his tenure, Stajcic nurtured and developed over 30 senior international players, leaving an indelible mark on the Australian women’s football landscape. His passion for the sport and his commitment to player development was evident from the outset, and it was only a matter of time before he climbed the ranks. Alen Stajcic’s breakthrough came as the head coach of Sydney FC Women, where he spent six successful seasons from 2008 till 2014. Under his guidance, Sydney FC clinched the A-League Premiership title in 2009 and 2011, along with the A-League Championship title in 2009 and 2013. His coaching prowess did not go unnoticed, and in 2014, Stajcic was entrusted with the role of the Matildas' - Australia women's senior national team - head coach.

Under Stajcic, the Matildas would rise as a formidable force on the global stage. During his five-year tenure, the team achieved an impressive 56 percent win ratio and reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics and the finals of two AFC Asian Cups in 2014 and 2018. The Matildas also achieved the highest-ever position of fourth in the FIFA world rankings under Stajcic’s coaching. His tactical acumen and strategic brilliance earned him a nomination for the Best FIFA Women’s Coach Award in 2018, too, cementing his status as one of the most accomplished Australian coaches of the modern era. After parting ways with the Matildas in 2019, Stajcic took the helm of the Central Coast Mariners, transforming the struggling club into a competitive force. His exceptional leadership guided the Mariners to a third-place finish in the A-League in the 2020-21 season, showcasing his ability to turn underdogs into contenders.

Stajcic ventured back into women’s international football in October 2021, taking on the challenge of leading the Philippines women’s national team. This endeavour proved to be a historic one as he guided the Philippines to victory in the AFF Women’s Championship in 2022 and secured their spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time. Despite a tough group stage, where the Filipinas lost to Switzerland and Norway, Stajcic’s side delivered a stunning upset by defeating co-hosts New Zealand. With the FIFA Women’s World Cup behind him, Stajcic now turns his focus back to Australian men’s football. Returning as the head coach of Perth Glory, his aim will be to re-establish the club as one of the powerhouses of Australian football. His deep connection to the country’s football, combined with his proven track record of success, makes him the ideal candidate to revitalise Perth Glory. Stajcic has shown a lot of character with his leadership and integrity and understands the importance of nurturing young talent and building a strong culture within the team. The stage is now set for a thrilling 2023-24 A-League season, and with Stajcic at the helm, Perth Glory will undoubtedly be a team to watch.