Zadkovich has ‘earnt’ Roar appointment

Ruben Zadkovich has been appointed Brisbane Roar coach for the next two years after impressing in “difficult circumtances” as interim boss.

News Corp Australia revealed last month that the 37-year-old former Socceroos midfielder was set to be offered a permanent deal, with Roar chief executive officer Kaz Patafta on Sunday confirming Zadkovich’s appointment.

“Ruben has earnt the right to take us forward,” Patafta said.

Former Perth Glory coach Zadkovich joined the Roar in January as an assistant to then coach Ben Cahn.

However, a week later he took over from Cahn – who stood down for medical reasons and has since resigned – in an interim role until of the 2023-24 season.

The appointment steadied Brisbane’s coaching merry-go-round, with Ross Aloisi and Luc Trani also having guided the Roar’s fortunes this season before Cahn was appointed on January 3 for his short-lived stint as head coach.

With one round of the regular season remaining, the eighth-placed Roar – who had a weekend 0-0 with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park – cannot finish in the top six.

However, if they beat Adelaide United on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, they will avoid a bottom-four spot and having to playoff for an Australia Cup berth.

Under Zadkovich, the Roar have acquired 13 points from 11 matches that have included three wins and four draws, as well as four losses.

“Ruben came into the job in difficult circumstances, and took on a challenge that wasn’t easy,” Patafta said.

“He had that ability to understand where we were as a club, and he has lived and breathed every moment of it.

“He’s the type of coach that gets involved in every aspect of the game.”

Zadkovich said he would “embrace” the job with an “overwhelming sense of pride, passion, and humility”.

“I’m excited to be planning for next season in many facets of the club and football department,” he said.

Former Glory assistant coach Chris Coyne, the Queenslander and ex-Socceroo who joined the Roar’s coaching staff in February, will also remain with Brisbane for two more years as Zadkovich’s right-hand man.

Another former Socceroo, Frank Juric, will also continue as Brisbane’s goalkeeper coach in a football department than will again also include second assistant coach Graham Harvey.

Prashim Bhandari, who worked with Zadkovich and Coyne in Perth, will join the Roar as head analyst.

Head of physiotherapy and high performance Shane Carr will extend his stay with Brisbane by at least two more years, while Jasraj Sidhu will return to the Roar as head of rehabilitation and reconditioning.

Daniel Favier will remain in his role as head of strength and conditioning.