FILE–Former Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic and Sofia Harrison of Philippines celebrate after the FIFA Women’s World Cup match between New Zealand and Philippines on July 25, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. –Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN
Alen Stajcic was officially named the new coach of Australian men’s club Perth Glory, two days after deciding to end his remarkable tenure steering the Philippines to a maiden Fifa Women’s World Cup appearance.
The A-League club made the announcement on Thursday which ultimately confirmed rumors before the Women’s World Cup of Stajcic being eyed to take over Perth once he completes his duties handling the Filipinas.
An Australian media outlet had reported in June that the Glory were eyeing Stajcic to call the shots amid struggles on both the financial side and on the pitch.
A new era begins…
Perth Glory is proud to announce that Alen Stajcic has been appointed as the club's new @aleaguemen Head Coach.
Get the full story here: https://t.co/2k4LTRhHDa#ONEGlory pic.twitter.com/MP1CCShCKo— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) August 3, 2023
“I believe an incredible opportunity now exists to re-establish Glory as one of the giants of Australian football and that vision is one shared by everyone at the club,” Stajcic said in a statement posted on the club’s website.
“I take great confidence from the groundwork which has been put in over the last year to set the club back on the path to success and am excited to help continue that process,” he added.
Stajcic opted to take a different direction after guiding the Philippine women’s side to unprecedented heights since being appointed in late-2021.
Spectators react as the Philippines teams celebrate following the Women’s World Cup Group A football match between New Zealand and the Philippines in Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)
The semifinal appearance at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup allowed the Filipinas to qualify for the Women’s World Cup, a feat no other national side of any gender of any age group has pulled off prior.
The Filipinas also won the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship, claimed bronze at last year’s Vietnam Southeast Asian Games and climbed to 46th in the world under Stajcic’s watch.
Stajcic’s pact with the Philippines ended after a 6-0 loss to Norway in the final group stage match in Auckland, New Zealand.
During the Women’s World Cup, the Filipinas claimed a 1-0 win over New Zealand on Sarina Bolden’s first-half goal.