Rudan has Glory gig in his sights as hunt for new coach begins

Mark Rudan has emerged as an early contender for the newly vacant Perth Glory coaching post, describing it “as a very interesting job”.

The former Australia under-20s assistant, and two-time NPL title winner with Sydney United 58, knocked back the Newcastle Jets in 2015, and during a recent football sabbatical studied under Unai Emery at Paris-St Germain and Pablo Machin at Primera Liga newcomers Girona FC to prepare him for the next step.

A year after departing Sydney United, the 42-year-old Sydney FC hall of famer is itching to return to coaching, with the A-League an ongoing ambition.

Kenny Lowe’s sacking on Friday has heralded a list of possible successors including the likes of Tony Popovic and Paul Okon, and Rudan’s name could also be in the frame.

“Perth’s an interesting job ... and it’s one that I’ve always looked at deeply,” Rudan said.

“They have a fantastic playing roster, they are well supported but looking at the way they performed this year there are a few tweaks and changes that need to be made.

“I think culturally they’d need to improve also but it’s one that I’d identify myself with.”

Lowe was relieved of the reins after four and a half years in charge, as Glory missed out on the finals with last weekend’s loss to Brisbane Roar.

“They were hit with a lot of injuries and it’s always unfortunate when a coach loses his job, Kenny is a fantastic individual and has been there a long time,” Rudan said.

“Hopefully he’s not lost to the football club or to football per se.

“It’s the way of the world and us coaches understand that once you get hired there’s always possibility of getting fired. It’s the life we lead.

“Whoever they decide to go with they have a strong squad and a good environment to work in. It really is a fortress over in Perth.

“There are a lot of coaches unemployed at the moment and it’s a matter of finding the right fit.”

Renowned for his work ethic, attention to detail and getting the best from the playing resources available, Rudan felt he “couldn’t develop himself any further” at NPL level.

He has broadened his knowledge base, learning from Emery during Paris St-Germain’s pre-season USA tour and then at Barcelona-based Girona just last month.

“It’s all about self development and one thing I’ve learned is that processes of the top coaches are all the same,” he added.

“Their styles differ and they have massive resources compared to here in Australia.

“Unai Emery was really hands on, fantastic to work with and we had some interesting talks.

“Girona was superb also ... they played three at the back and I took a lot out of that also.

“My ambition to coach in the A-League is strong. I was offered the Newcastle job before Scott Miller and I had my reasons for turning it down.

“I came to the conclusion after a ten-day process of looking at the overall picture and what I’d be able to achieve there that the position wasn’t right for me.

“I’m under no Illusions at the difficulty of finding a job in a ten-team league but I believe in my own ability, the way my teams play and the culture and environment I set up.

“But you need that phone to ring.”