Western Sydney Wanderers have appointed Mark Rudan as head coach until the end of the 2021-22 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The Wanderers turned to former Western United and Wellington Phoenix coach Rudan after sacking Carl Robinson in the aftermath of Saturday’s 3-0 humbling at lowly Brisbane Roar.
Rudan – a Western Sydney local – is set to be thrust into the dugout when the struggling Wanderers face Perth Glory at CommBank Stadium on Wednesday.
“As a Western Sydney local, I’m proud to be representing the region where my career and passion for football began,” Rudan said in a statement on Monday.
“We have high expectations here at the club and I’m eager to bring back the grit, intensity, fight and passion at the club.”
Rudan spent two seasons as coach of Western United up until last year, having guided Wellington to the A-League Men Finals Series for the first time in three years back in 2018-19.
The former Sydney FC captain takes over a Wanderers outfit second from bottom in the league, just a point above cellar-dwelling Newcastle Jets through seven matches.
Western Sydney opted to part ways with Welshman Robinson after a loss away to the Roar left the Wanderers with just one win this season.
Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer said: “We need to improve our standing, plain and simple.
“This appointment was made to bring back a formidable mentality to our team, to stand up for our region and play with absolute determination to succeed.
“Mark understands the domestic football landscape at all levels and breeds a winning culture. Not only is Mark a Western Sydney local but he has coached at all levels and understands what it takes to represent our community.
“We look forward to Mark achieving success with the Wanderers, and with what we believe is an exciting squad. We encourage our members and fans to get behind our team and support them in our upcoming matches, starting this Wednesday night against Perth Glory, at CommBank Stadium.”
