Brisbane Roar has announced head coach Ben Cahn will take an indefinite period of medical leave to address a health issue, with assistant Ruben Zadkovich stepping into an acting head coach role.
Cahn was appointed as Roar head coach on January 1 after the departure of Ross Aloisi in late 2023; the 35-year-old has overseen five games since his appointment but has put his first job in the Isuzu UTE A-League on hold due to medical issues.
Cahn approached the club this week to communicate that he is currently unable to fulfil his role, “stressing the importance of health and well-being over his professional commitments.”
““It’s an incredibly difficult decision to step away from something I’ve worked so hard for,” Cahn said. “But my health and my family come first.
“I’m very grateful to management for supporting me in this decision and have no doubts that they’ll continue to take the club forward.”
Former Perth Glory head coach Ruben Zadkovich will take the reins as acting head coach in Cahn’s absence, beginning with Friday night’s home clash with Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium.
Zadkovich joined the club in January as Cahn’s assistant coach.
Roar CEO and chairman Kaz Patafta said: “As a professional sporting club our first priority is our people. Ben’s health is paramount to all of us.
“We stand by Ben during this time and are grateful for his transparent and conscientious decision-making.”
