In his first press conference as Perth Glory’s interim head coach, Kenny Lowe made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of taking on the role full-time.
The man who led the Isuzu UTE A-League club for five years between 2013 and 2018 is back at the helm in an interim capacity, ahead of a friendly against Premier League club West Ham United at Optus Stadium on Saturday, July 15.
Three days later comes an Australia Cup play-off against Macarthur FC in Darwin; Lowe says victory in that fixture would be a major boost to his side’s A-League Men pre-season, with the Round of 32 set to play out across the coming months building up to the 2023-24 domestic campaign.
But when asked if he planned to throw his hat in the ring for the club’s permanent head coach role following Ruben Zadkovich’s resignation last month, Lowe – the club’s academy director – quipped back with a typically quick-witted response:
“No, I’ve got no hats left,” he said. “They’ve all gone.”
But what of any lingering itch to get back into the full-time head coaching game?
“No mate, the itch has been totally scratched.
Five years (spent in the role), I had a full head of hair last time before I started up!
“I’m enjoying what I’m doing, I’m just here to help really as best as I can to support the club, support Tony and Lucy (Sage) who have been really good to me over the years.”
Buy tickets to the Perth tour fixtures
CONFIRMED: West Ham confirm squad for Aussie tour, headlined by England star
Lowe spoke to reporters before his latest session as the first-team interim, just two days out from the A-League Men club’s bout with West Ham at Optus Stadium.
He confirmed defender Jacob Muir, 2022-23 captain Mustafa Amini and star winger Ryan WIlliams would be unavailable for selection. Training kicked off with the playing group split into three for a small possession-based drill; in two of the groups were the senior squad members – but the third group Lowe gave particular attention to.
It was made up entirely of the club’s academy and National Premier League players. Players who Lowe has overseen as the academy director, and who he says will be called upon to play predominant roles across both the West Ham friendly and Australia Cup play-off.
“We’ve got young U17, U20 and U21 internationals, so they’re going to get game time,” Lowe said. “And those guys are first picks, or in the first two or three for the national team for their age groups.
“That means they’re decent. So if they can come and play with a little bit of a free spirit, and enjoy themselves and not get overawed by playing (a) Premier League team, I’m sure they’ll enjoy it and show people what they can do.
“It’s a bit sad we’ve got two games so close together… we’ve got a duty of care to everyone, really. We’ll probably play 45 for the first team and then introduce the young boys, which is great.”
READ MORE ON KEEPUP:
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know for Perth tour
MATILDAS v FRANCE: How to watch, tickets, talking points
DIAMANTI RETURNS: Details of Italian great’s new A-Leagues role
COLUMN: Elise Kellond-Knight takes you into Matildas’ inner sanctum
GLORY UPDATE: Interim coach confirmed & ownership latest
TOMBIDES TRIBUTE: Dylan Tombides’ legacy lives on through Perth tour
Still, Lowe refused to look at the awkward timing of the two fixtures as a negative; instead he looked to big up the opportunity for the club’s rising stars to show what they’re capable of.
In mid-2022, Lowe sat back and watched a certain Garang Kuol light up Accor Stadium with the A-Leagues All Stars against Barcelona.
The teenage Central Coast Mariner was relatively unknown at the stage – but not for long. His blistering showing earned overseas attention and praise from Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez. Just months later he was a World Cup Socceroo signed to Premier League giants Newcastle United.
Lowe says Saturday’s clash with West Ham could help a range of Glory’s young players do the same.
“We saw a young boy in the All Stars who had a decent game, and all of a sudden he got a massive move (after) playing Barcelona,” Lowe said.
“We’ve got a very good academy over here – and I’m not just saying that because I’m an academy director in any way, shape or form. But we’ve got a very good academy here, and we’ve got some very good young players. They’ll be pinching themselves. Out of negative comes positives, and the club’s predicament, maybe if the club wasn’t in the state it is at the moment then maybe those young boys wouldn’t get an opportunity.
“We’ve got some great young kids, so there could be a few shocks and surprises tomorrow. It could be a life-changing game for them.”
But it’s not only the inexperienced members of the Glory squad looking to make a splash against West Ham; 2023 Most Glorious Player Mark Beevers is back in purple for the first time since the end of the 2022-23 A-League Men season, and says Lowe’s training schedule since the start of pre-season holds the squad in good stead to take on the challenge of two games in quick succession.
Beevers is a formerly of Millwall – West Ham’s bitter local rivals. He says he’s not expecting a hostile reception from the West Ham fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday – but he can’t rule it out.
“I’m hoping it doesn’t come into play in a pre-season game to be honest, but you never know. If this was played back in England I can guarantee you I’d receive a few boos, and maybe more,” he said.
“But I’m sure we’ve got die-hard West Ham fans over here in Perth. Whether they’ll be chucking any abuse on the pitch I’m not sure. I don’t know, we’ll see.”
Buy tickets to the Perth tour fixtures
MATCH DETAILS
Perth Glory v West Ham United
Date: Saturday, 15 July 2023
Venue: Optus Stadium
Kick-Off: 8.00pm AEST/ 6.00pm (local)
Broadcast: 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
