Rudan parts ways with Wanderers

Marko Rudan has parted ways with Western Sydney Wanderers just four months after signing a three-year coaching contract extension with the A-League club.

The Wanderers announced on Thursday night that Rudan had departed the club by mutual consent for “personal reasons”.

Rudan revealed that he needed to devote more time to caring for his ill mother.

“I will be spending my time in the near future being close to my family as we are going through a difficult time as my mother’s brain cancer has come back,” he said in a statement.

“I wish to bring awareness to the Brain Cancer Foundation – ‘www.curebraincancer.org.au’. This illness has affected our family deeply.

“Thank you to all the players, staff, executive and fans of Western Sydney Wanderers.”

Among those in contention to replace Rudan are former A-League title-winning coaches Patrick Kisnorbo and Nick Montgomery, as well as current Perth Glory mentor Alen Stajcic.

Former Wanderers coach Tony Popovic, whose future as Melbourne Victory boss is clouded, has also been linked with a return to Western Sydney.

Doubts about Rudan’s future had emerged in the latter stages of the Wanderers’ recently completed 2023-24 campaign, with a form slump eventually costing Western Sydney a top-six spot.

However, Rudan – who was also banned in February for three games, one match being a suspended sanction for a “derogatory” outburst which questioned the integrity of A-League referees – was adamant he as leaving the Wanderers with the club in a “healthy position”.

“Although we fell short of playing in the finals this season, I am proud of all the hard work by the players, support staff and executive of the club,” he said.

“I would like to thank chairman Paul Lederer, CEO Scott Hudson and the board for giving me the opportunity to lead this great club.

Hudson thanked Rudan – who took charge of the Wanderers in January 2022 following the sacking of Carl Robinson – for his service.

“Marko has demonstrated complete dedication to the role in his time here, culminating in him leading us to a finals campaign (in the 2022-23) season after many years in the wilderness,” Hudson said.

“We thank Marko for his efforts and wish him, and his family, all the best for the future.”