Returning star Oliver Bozanic believes the Central Coast Mariners quickly become an A-League force again and vowed to be a leader on and off the pitch for his hometown club.
In a huge coup for the rebuilding Gosford club, Bozanic signed a multi-year deal last month as a key recruit to coach Alen Stajcic’s squad.
News of the 31-year-old’s return has thrilled Mariners fans, who have fond memories of Bozanic’s last A-League game for the club – the victorious 2013 Grand Final against Western Sydney Wanderers FC.
That memorable day brought the curtain down on a hugely successful three years at the club for Bozanic.
Over the last seven years Bozanic has gone on to play in Switzerland, Japan and Scotland, as well as stints at both Melbourne Victory and City.
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He has also notched seven caps for the Socceroos, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
All those experiences means Bozanic returns to the Coast a far more polished and confident player, and hopes to use that knowledge to lead the way in 2020/21 and beyond.
“I was just a young player coming through at that time [first Mariners stint] and you do obviously learn a lot by moving overseas and experiencing different leagues and styles of football,” Bozanic told a-league.com.au.
“You grow not just as a player but as a person as well.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of work to do considering the position that the club’s finished over the over the last few seasons.
“There’s room for improvement and I hope I can come in and help on that side of it with the experience and leadership as well.
“We’re looking to improve in all aspects of the club and move forward.”
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Bozanic arrives at the Mariners now with the club not in a dissimilar position than they found themselves in when he first joined them back in 2010.
The Mariners had finished the previous campaign in eighth position in the 10-team league but quickly become an A-League powerhouse.
Led by coach Graham Arnold, the Mariners lost the Grand Final to Brisbane Roar in Bozanic’s first season, before winning the Premiership the next season and then the club’s first title in 2013.
And that’s why Bozanic has no doubt the Mariners can quickly go from basement battlers over the last few seasons to finals contenders.
“It can definitely [change quickly], especially in the A-League where everything’s so tight,” the former Hearts playmaker said.
“It does just come down to putting together a good team and working really hard in pre-season.
“We’re still fairly early in the pre-season at the moment but I think it’s just about improving day in, day out. Trying to reach small targets and just keep knocking them down as they come.
“When the season comes around, it’s just about taking each game as it comes in, and looking to improve…that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”
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Bozanic has been back on the Central Coast since March when the Scottish Premiership season – where he was playing with Hearts – was put on hold due to COVID-19.
Initially of the belief he would return to complete the season, the opportunity never eventuated with the SPL campaign aborted.
But while in limbo on the Coast, Bozanic took the opportunity to train with the Mariners and was impressed with what he saw, eventually leading to him signing a deal.
“It was good to be able to train and just be back in that environment. Also being my hometown club and I started, I was drawn to that as well,” Bozanic said.
“There’s a lot good young talent in the Mariners…over the years the club has been able to bring a lot of good youngsters through,” he added.
“Hopefully there’s more of that to come and some more exciting players come through this season.”
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