Ruben Zadkovich has delivered a classy tribute to Ben Cahn after the Brisbane Roar head coach took an indefinite leave of absence in order to recover from a health issue.
Having initially been brought into the club as an assistant, Zadkovich suddenly found himself thrust into the role of acting head coach in Cahn’s absence.
“It’s been a whirlwind week-and-a-half for myself,” said Zadkovich following their 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix. “I came in with a clear role of supporting Ben and being his assistant.
“I’ve only known him for a week-and-a-half and he’s a great person.
“My thoughts and feelings are with Ben and his health and happiness. Hopefully he can recover and get himself back to his best.”
A late Corey Brown goal secured a hard-earned point for Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium as they battled back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with league leaders Wellington Phoenix.
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“The staff, the players, all of our admin staff, the club as a whole all gelled themselves together and picked themselves up off the floor.
“We only had two sessions really for me to try and pick a team and work on some basic things. The credit for me goes to the players, they were outstanding tonight.”
The draw for the Roar brought an end to their run of four-straight losses in the league while it also represented Zadkovich’s first game in charge of an Isuzu UTE A-League side since departing Perth Glory at the end of last season in search of another opportunity.
“It is a rollercoaster for sure,” reflected Zadkovich when discussing his return to the game. “I’ve been in football my whole life, it’s all I’ve known.
‘If it was in any other profession you’d say you’ve got a PhD when you’ve been in it from six years old and that’s all you’ve known. When you’ve seen the highs and the lows and everything in between – and I’ve certainly witnessed that as a player and I’ve felt that as a coach.
“But I’ve got a very firm belief of who I am and what I want to do in the game and I was waiting for the right opportunity to work with good people.
“After speaking with the management here at this club and speaking with Ben, who is a great person, that’s what attracted me to work at the club – to work with great people.”
Zadkovich certainly didn’t have it easy in his first game in charge, losing captain Tom Aldred in the warm-up due to a muscular issue whilst Henry Hore and Jack Hingert were also withdrawn in the first half due to injury.
“Football is a funny game,” said Zadkovich when discussing Brisbane’s recent plight following the draw with Wellington. “It throws so many curveballs and Brisbane Roar’s had a few curveballs over the last season or two and probably a little bit longer than that to be honest.
“I think all the players, all the staff, all the fans, everyones been through a lot. It’s nice when a club sticks together in tough times.
“I’ve only been here a week-and-a-half but I was really proud to wear the badge and be a part of that group that was sticking together through tough times.
