Perth Glory’s search for a new coach to replace the sacked David Zdrilic is set to drag out into a third week.
Despite a self-imposed target to have a successor in place bt the end of the November international window, Glory’s hunt for a new head honcho will continue when the A-League Men returns from a week off.
Current interim Adam Griffiths is set to continue his caretaker role on the touchline for at least one more game as Glory search for a first victory of the season away to Newcastle Jets next Sunday.
Perth sacked Zdrilic just two rounds into the new season after backing him in the off-season despite him delivering the wooden spoon the previous year.
Upon Zdrilic’s dismissal, chief executive Anthony Radich confirmed preliminary discussions were underway with a number of candidates, and they were targeting an experienced option.
At the time, Radich was hopeful of having a successor in place after the November international window, which has begun and will end on November 18.
But with Glory players back in training after a few days off, the identity of the coach who will lead them forward remains a mystery.
While Perth are understood to be hopeful of having a new manager in place within the next fortnight, their options appear increasingly limited.
With top option John Aloisi out of the running, the likes of former A-League Men’s title-winners Nick Montgomery and Patrick Kisnorbo will prove hard to tempt given Glory’s reluctance to overhaul their backroom staff.
Perth brought in Griffiths as an assistant, goalkeeping coach Kristian Barbuscak and performance director John Lucas in the off-season to assist Zdrilic, and it is expected any new coach would have very limited scope to bring in their own support personnel.
Griffiths, who has been honest with his intentions to land the vacant role himself, will interview for the gig.
While Glory reportedly have interest in ex-Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, the 62 year-old is on the verge of guiding Iraq to a first-ever FIFA World Cup.
Even if Iraq are unable to prevail over UAE in the second leg of their qualifying tie after a 1-1 draw away on Friday morning WST, Arnold would likely also want his own support staff.
