Foundation player and AFC Champions Lague winner Labinot Haliti has re-joined Western Sydney Wanderers as one of the club’s Hyundai A-League assistant coaches.
Haliti joins the Wanderers having spent the last two seasons as coach of Newcastle Jets’ Youth Team, where he earned his FIFA A Coaching Licence.
The 33-year-old, who retired from playing in 2017, is somewhat of a legend at the Wanderers during three seasons in Western Sydney.
He was part of the club’s inaugural campaign that ended with the Wanderers winning the Premiership, with Haliti scoring a decisive goal in the 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners which was pivotal in them finishing first.
The Kosovo-born striker was also a part of the team that secured a historic AFC Champions League crown by beating Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal 1-0 on aggregate in 2014.
In all, Haliti made 81 appearances for the Wanderers over three seasons, scoring 11 goals.
We are very proud to announce the return of @LabiHaliti as one of our @ALeague assistant coaches: https://t.co/HvfKpaj99w #WSW pic.twitter.com/upLqTQH6GQ
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) May 8, 2019
“It is a dream come true to return to the Wanderers. Everything feels so new at the moment, but it also feels like I’ve never left the building,” Haliti told the Wanderers’ official website.
“I’m planning to bring a lot of passion and energy to the club, I love what I do and I’m one of the very lucky ones to be part of a club who have given me everything.
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“I know what it means to wear the badge and I’m looking to pass on that expectation to this group of Wanderers. Belief, hard work and a never give up attitude – that’s what the community, members and fans want.
“I look forward to applying what I’ve learnt in the last 18 months with Markus Babbel and JP (Jean-Paul de Marigny).”