Perth Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich says his grand plans for the team won’t change even if owner Tony Sage sells the club.
Sage has a potential buyer for the Glory, and if the sale goes ahead it remains to be seen whether it will be a controlling interest.
Zadkovich is in his first full season as coach of Glory, and the team needs to win their final two games to have any chance to make the finals.
Ninth-placed Glory started the round four points adrift of the top six, and they host second-placed Adelaide on Sunday before facing Western United in Perth the following week.
The potential sale of the club has added an extra layer of intrigue at Glory, but Zadkovich is doing his best to keep everyone’s focus on the task at hand.
MORE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE NEWS
SIMMONS: Teenager lights up Wanderland in Wellington demolition – ‘it’s an honour to score your first goal’
O’SHEA: A debut against Manchester United, playing for an extinct club & googling Brisbane
THE EQUATION: This is the ‘magic number’ in this season’s Isuzu UTE A-League
Zadkovich has big long-term plans for the club, and they won’t change even if a new owner comes in.
“As a playing ground and as a staff roster, the most important thing is to worry about your own space and day to day work, and sticking really clear to the long-term plan of the club, which won’t change even if the ownership does change,” Zadkovich said.
“There’s areas to improve, there’s work to be done, and that remains a clear focus for us.
“Let’s be honest, there’s been talk of the sale of the club for years now, so this isn’t anything new.
“It’s just a new rumour and a new speculation and plenty of talk. As it stands, Sage is owner of the club.
“We’re just working and focusing on our roles … and doing the best we can and making sure we focus on the football department, because at the end of the day that’s the only part I can control.”
Glory are desperate to make amends for last week’s 4-1 loss to Sydney FC.
Returning defender Mark Beevers said the team is determined to finish the season with back-to-back wins over Adelaide and Western United.
“(Finals) are still mathematically possible, and we know we’re strong at home,” Beevers said.
“All we can do is go into the last two games at home and hopefully take all six points and see where that takes us.
“Our home patch has been a fortress this season, that’s there for everyone to see. Everyone who has come to Perth has found it difficult to get results.
“You never know in football, we could quite easily slip into that top six.”
Adelaide, who lost 1-0 to Western United last week, will be without Zach Clough (calf), Jay Barnett (hamstring), and Nestory Irankunda (illness).