Glory recruit credits Stajcic for his signing

Perth Glory recruit Oliver Bozanic says the club’s new head coach Alen Stajcic was the driving force behind his move.

The 34-year-old midfielder, who has played in England, Switzerland, Japan, and Scotland as well as for four other A-League clubs, joined the Glory last month on loan for the first half of the season from Western Sydney Wanderers.

Bozanic told Sports Breakfast the former Matildas coach, who has joined the Glory after guiding the Philippines women’s side to the World Cup, has already stamped his authority on the club.

“The way he brings a team together is what really sets him apart from other managers in the league,” Bozanic said.

“He’s able to instill his way of playing and get results. He has a way of doing it and he’s been successful everywhere he’s been.

“Working with the coaching staff I’ve worked with before was a big drawcard for me, I worked with them at the Central Coast and we were very successful there.”

The winter has been one of change for the Glory, with Stajcic replacing Ruben Zadkovich in the coaching chair and the club this week unveiling Victorian property developer Robert Brij as their new owner.

Bozanic said the environment at the club had been positive despite the instability.

“The way the coaching staff have come in and set up and also from up top, it didn’t feel like we were without an owner,” he said.

“I think there’s still a great belief in the people and the club and the rebuild.

“They were very confident in finding someone and they did and now it’s time to move forward on that and to create new opportunities.”

The Glory open their campaign against the Newcastle Jets at 4:45pm on Sunday at the recently-refurbished HBF Park, with Bozanic saying his team hoped to show off a brand the club’s fans could get behind.

“It’s always a tough place to come when you’re on the other side, to play against Glory. We want to use that to our advantage,” he said.

“Every team in the league is ambitious and wanting to do well, so it’s going to be a tough game.

“We’ve performed well in preseason and trained well. We’re ready for this new season.”

All Perth Glory home games in the 2023/24 season are being broadcast live on 91.3 SportFM.

IMAGE: Inside Sport