As Perth Glory prepare to defend their 2018/19 Premiership, coach Tony Popovic is more determined than ever to seize the one thing that has eluded his coaching career so far.
The 46-year-old ex-Crystal Palace hardman has made a remarkable four Hyundai A-League Grand Finals in just six seasons but has left the big dance empty handed on each occasion.
Last season, Popovic led Glory to the Grand Final in his first season, a feat he managed while at the helm of Western Sydney Wanderers in 2012/13.
But although Glory are aiming to kick on from a record-breaking domestic campaign, Popovic’s quest for silverware will expand beyond Australian shores.
Having secured the Premiers’ Plate, Glory are set to embark on their historic first venture in the AFC Champions League – a competition the former defender won with the Wanderers in 2014.
“What I’ll bring is the experience of knowing what’s expected and how difficult it is, not just playing-wise but logistically and juggling the A-League and the ACL at the same time,” Popovic told a-league.com.au.
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“We’ve got the pleasure of competing in the ACL, which is a first for the club, and a first for many players here at Perth Glory, and we’re really excited about the challenges that are in front of us this year.
“It’s something we’d all rather be involved in than sitting at home with a cup of coffee watching the games.
“It’s something we’ll all experience as a club for the first time and hopefully my experience of being in the competition can ease some of the nerves the players may have.
“We really want them to be nerves of excitement, not nerves of fear.”
Perth blew their Hyundai A-League rivals away in 2018/19 under Popovic’s tutelage, surging to their maiden Premiers’ Plate and smashing records left, right and centre on the way.
It is a campaign that has elevated the benchmark of expectation at the West Australian club to heights not seen since the days of the old National Soccer League.
But Popovic says the club are hungry for the challenge ahead.
“Getting the first bit of silverware for the club in the A-League, finishing the season as premiers, being the best team in the league for the whole season is something special and something every team aspires to do,” he said.
“We got to the Grand Final and unfortunately we lost in a penalty shootout in front of a fantastic crowd.
“We’d like to build on that and create stability at the club in terms of expectations and what we achieve.
“We want to have another season where we’re challenging for honours once more, that’s what we set out to do last year and we have the challenge in front of us again.
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“We know it will be difficult to repeat our success but we’re confident, ambitious and hungry enough to taste some more success.”
One player who could be the crucial difference in helping Perth go one step further in the Hyundai A-League is former Melbourne City talisman Bruno Fornaroli.
The Uruguayan signed for Perth in March after cancelling his contract with Melbourne City in February, following months of speculation over his future throughout an ongoing saga with former City boss Warren Joyce.
Fornaroli is widely recognised as one of the competition’s greatest-ever imports, and Popovic is backing him to fire in WA despite the difficulties he endured in 2018/19.
“He’s been a breath of fresh air,” Popovic said.
“We’ve been very happy since the moment he walked in the doors here at Perth Glory.
“He’s had a difficult couple of years for various reasons, but you can really see how determined he really is to play well and contribute personally to the team this year.
“He’s smiling and enjoying training and his work every day.
“Knowing Bruno and seeing what he’s done in the past when he has that type of demeanour and body language he plays at his best.
“He’s a winner, he’s a fantastic football player and we’re delighted he’s here.”
The off-season has been one of transformation for the Glory squad, with a number of key ins and outs.
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With the departures of Jason Davidson, Shane Lowry, Andy Keogh, Scott Neville and the retired Brendon Santalab, Popovic is missing a core group of players from the premiership winning side.
But the Glory boss says a long pre-season has allowed his new signings to bed-in well at the club.
“We’re pleased with how the pre-season is progressing,” Popovic said.
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“We had the excitement of the game against Manchester United which was early in our pre-season, it forced us to come back quite early to start but we came back for a good reason.
“So far, all the new players are integrating very well, they’re enjoying their work and living here as well.
“We’ve had some changes in personnel in recent time, but it’s just a process of getting those players accustomed to how we want to play and to living in Perth.
“It always takes time especially with foreign players to settle in, but the more games we can play together in this pre-season will give a chance to those players to settle in the way we’d like them to.”
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