.jpg?width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800 "Two United Airlines planes collide on New York’s LaGuardia tarmac following day of ground stops and wind alerts – UK Times")
Perth Glory have sacked head coach David Zdrilic after just two rounds of the A-League season.
Zdrilic, 51, who made 30 appearances for the Socceroos, was let go following a last- start 4-0 loss to Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
His team opened their campaign at home with a 2-2 draw against Wellington, but Zdrilic needed a strong start after only winning four of 26 games in his first season in charge in 2024/25.
Zdrilic’s winning percentage was a paltry 14.29 per cent as his men conceded a whopping 62 goals in those games.
Glory chief executive Anthony Radlich told the players on Tuesday night that Zdrilic was no longer their coach.
The club released a statement confirming Zdrilic had been ‘relieved of his duties with immediate effect’.
David Zdrilic came to Perth Glory with a big reputation but struggled to get results
The former Socceroos star had a winning percentage in charge of Perth of just 14.29 per cent
‘Owner and chairman Ross Pelligra and the Perth Glory board would like to place on record their gratitude to David for his hard work and professionalism throughout his tenure at the club, and wish him every success in his future endeavours,’ the statement said.
‘Members of the existing support staff will take temporary charge of the team for Friday’s home game against Melbourne Victory, and an announcement regarding the appointment of a new, permanent head coach will be made in due course.’
Perth Glory great Steven McGarry was critical of the side in the days leading up to Zdrilic’s sacking, saying their low possession stats were affecting their control over games.
Perth had just 40 per cent of the ball in Melbourne and only 29 per cent of possession at home to Wellington in their season opener.
‘They don’t seem to, when in possession, have different types of control and ways to build up through the pitch,’ McGarry said.
‘I’d love the team to keep the ball a bit longer, because it’s difficult when you’re chasing the game for 80, 90 minutes. You become tired, you lose focus.
‘If you’ve got the ball, the other team doesn’t have the ball and they can’t score goals.
‘I would love to see some more momentum in the build-up, keeping the ball for longer – whether that be in the build-up and through rotations or smart positioning and forwards running in behind.’
Perth Glory great Steven McGarry was critical of the side, saying it couldn’t control games
Zdrilic arrived at the club to plenty of fanfare, having earned a reputation as one of the league’s best assistant coaches.
He was at Red Bull Salzburg in Austria before providing Sydney FC youth teams with tactical knowledge learned in Europe.
But Zdrilic struggled in his first campaign in charge in the west, with Perth finishing with the wooden spoon.
It took Glory until round nine last year to record Zdrilic’s first A-League win.
The club is now on the lookout for their fifth manager since Tony Popovic left in 2020, after appointing Richard Garcia, Ruben Zadkovich, Alen Stajcic and Zdrilic.
A-League championship-winning coach John Aloisi is considered to be the target for Glory to replace Zdrilic.
Daily Mail contacted Perth Glory for comment.
