The Western Sydney Wanderers have signed former Socceroo Zeljko Kalac from rivals Sydney FC as the goalkeeper coach for the entire club.
Earlier, the Sky Blues released Kalac from the final year of his contract to allow the 42-year-old to pursue ‘another opportunity’.
Goalkeeping coach departs Sydney FC
The role will see Kalac coaching at all levels of the club and will incorporate the Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League and Foxtel Youth League squads as well as the new Wanderers Academy Structure.
After a distinguished playing career that saw him win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, Kalac has extensive A-League experience as a goalkeeper coach and will be an asset to all goalkeepers in the Red & Black.
Fellow goalkeeper coach Davide Del Giovine will join Kalac as an assistant in the goalkeeper coach department.
Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said the appointment of Kalac further cemented the Club’s commitment to a genuine elite player pathway for Western Sydney.
“With Zeljko’s role incorporating every level of this club, the youth of Western Sydney will have even greater access to elite-level coaching and an improved player pathway to the Hyundai A-League,” explained Tsatsimas.
“From the ages of 12 all the way to the first-team, Zeljko will be training the best goalkeepers in Western Sydney and that’s a huge win for the region.”
After a highly successful three seasons with the Hyundai A-League, squad incumbent goalkeeper coach Ron Corry will stay with the Wanderers in a variety of roles including scouting, community coaching and as an ambassador.
Tsatsimas said Corry’s contribution to the club has been priceless.
“Ron played a critical part of our success from day one at the Wanderers and he has the Red & Black coursing through his veins,” said Tsatsimas.
“The passion Ron feels for this club cannot be described in words. He has a rich history in football stretching back to 1964 and we are thankful that he will continue to remain with the Wanderers.”