Perth Glory has made a significant addition to their football department with former defender Ante Kovacevic returning to the club in the newly created off-field role of Team Manager.
Perth Glory has made a significant addition to their football department with former defender Ante Kovacevic returning to the club in the newly created off-field role of Team Manager.
The Perth Glory Board has given their full support to bolstering the club-s off-field team and Kovacevic-s appointment will provide a critical resource that encompasses welfare, team logistics, player liaison and the continued development of relationships between Glory and the West Australian football community.
The role reports to CEO Scott Gooch and Football Operations Manager Stuart Gilsenan and will work side-by-side with Head Coach Dave Mitchell and the entire coaching team.
Renowned as an uncompromising defender during a long and successful career that included 276 matches in the NSL and Hyundai A-League, 32 with Perth, and two NSL championships with Melbourne Knights, Kovacevic has the pedigree, personality and passion to ensure this key role enhances Glory-s prospects on and off the field.
“Perth Glory is a proud club and the mainstay of elite football in Western Australia and I-m delighted to be part of the team that is working to restore the glory years,” Kovacevic said.
“Football has been a huge part of my life and to be able to contribute to Perth Glory and the game is something I-m very excited about.
“I-m passionate about the club and the sport in general and I want to see football continue to prosper in WA and believe that can be greatly enhanced by having a successful Perth Glory team,” Kovacevic said.
Mr Gooch said the creation of a Team Manager role was the result of a thorough strategic review at the club which clearly identified the need to add further expertise into the off-field team.
“We-ve worked hard to examine all aspects of the club and in relation to the football department we saw the need to have additional resources and Ante-s appointment is the start of a restructure that will give our club the best opportunity to prepare and then perform on the pitch,” said Mr Gooch.
“We see Ante as the ideal person to act as a conduit between the coaching staff, administration and the players plus also to continue to strengthen the relationships between Perth Glory and the vibrant local football community.
“Ante is a quality person who understands the game and has a passion for the club and we welcome him on board and look forward to his further contribution to Perth Glory.”
Player welfare will be a key component of the new role and Kovacevic is a standout example of an individual who has combined a football career at the top level as well as preparing for life following his playing days.
The 34 year old, who holds a Bachelor of Business plus a Masters in Information Technology and currently works in the IT industry, will be the first port of call for new players arriving in Perth and will also assist those making the transition from the Youth Team and local leagues into the top-flight.
“The bottom line is you want players to be performing as soon as possible and I believe that the quicker they settle into a new town the quicker you-ll get the best out of their footballing abilities on the park,” said Kovacevic.
“Even for players who are moving up a level, I will be there to assist in that transition and help them to settle more quickly into life as a senior professional footballer.”
Kovacevic still pulls on the boots for Floreat Athena in the Football West Premier League and was a key member in their unbeaten run to the Premiership in 2007. He joins Gareth Naven and Scott Miller, who steer Perth-s Youth Team, as former players returning to the Glory and will start his new Team Manager role in mid-March.
