New Perth coach Ian Ferguson is relishing the chance to manage the Glory against his former club North Queensland, although he admits it won’t be without a tinge of sadness.
New Perth coach Ian Ferguson is relishing the chance to manage the Glory against his former club North Queensland, although he admits it won’t be without a tinge of sadness.
Speaking on Tuesday just moments after former coach Dave Mitchell announced he’d be stepping aside from the managerial position to take up a football director’s role at the Glory, Ferguson said he was thrilled to get another chance at managing a club.
The former Rangers legend, who once helped the Glasgow giants to a record nine Scottish titles in a row, has previously only managed the Fury in an incident-packed first season for the Townsville club.
His tenure ended when the Fury was put into financial administration but having had nine games as Mitchell’s assistant, Ferguson now gets another chance as Perth look to arrest an alarming slide that’s seen them lose four consecutive games.
“Look, obviously delighted to have it, but there’s a touch of sadness there getting a job this way,” Fergsuon admitted after being offered a contract at the club that takes him through to the end of the 2011-12 season.
“I would have liked to have worked a bit longer with him (Mitchell) as an assistant coach.”
“But I’ve got the opportunity now, the buck stops with me, I’m the head coach and looking forward and relishing the challenge.”
Ferguson said he’d be working hard to get his own concentration, and that of the players, back on track for Friday night’s clash with the Fury in Townsville.
“I don’t think it will be too hard,” Ferguson said.
“Today’s been quite an emotional day for everyone, the players and coaching staff, Mitch.”
“I think this speech in there from Mitch (to the players), hopefully it sinks into the players.”
“(So) we’re looking forward to it. I believe the squad that we’ve got can go up there and get three points and that’s the belief that I’ve got.”
“Let’s hope the players have got that belief as well that we can go up there, get the three points and get us back in winning ways.”
Ferguson though will be without Robbie Fowler this Friday, the star striker has been granted additional leave and won’t return from the United Kingdom until next week.
Fowler took advantage of the international break to head home, but was meant to be back in Perth on Monday evening, ready to play against the Fury side he once captained.
“No, Robbie won’t make it,” Ferguson said.
“Robbie’s back home. He’s had a couple of personal problems that he’s got to try and fix over there, but he’ll be back on Tuesday.”
Mitchell, though, believes Ferguson is the man to get Perth back to winning ways.
“He did a fantastic job at North Queensland last year and no ones given him the credit for what he did,” Mitchell said.
“To recruit players up there, to get Robbie Fowler up there and to come four points from the top six, which he did, was a great achievement.”
“I certainly think Ian Ferguson and Kenny (assistant Kenny Lowe) will do a good job and I’ll be there for support in any way I can.”
“It’s a positive step,” Mitchell added. “It’s not a negative step.”
