When Ruben Zadkovich took over as head coach of the Brisbane Roar midway through last season, he became the sixth man at the helm in 14-months – and ninth mentor in six years.
But he delivered a steadfast response when asked how he felt enduring a perceived horror introduction.
Brisbane Roar Men’s Head Coach, Ruben Zadkovich.Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
“I came in at the right time,” Zadkovich said.
“It gave me the ability to get to know my players in tough circumstances and under a lot of adversity.”
Zadkovich became intent on delivering a program which would cultivate success regardless of how long he stays in the job.
And there is hope from Brisbane skipper, Jay O’Shea, the former Socceroo’s mark would remain for the long haul, given the upheaval the club have endured.
A promising start under Ross Aloisi last year was eradicated when he departed for China, and his replacement Ben Cahn was forced to withdraw after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
O’Shea appreciates the carousel – however unintended – must end if the club are to taste premiership success for the first time in a decade.
“It upsets the rhythm. We started really well, and then going through a few manager changes it really upsets the players,” O’Shea said.
“That’s hard for the young players coming through; they might get one coach who likes them and then all of a sudden, that coach is gone, and another one comes in, and you have to start fresh again.
“Knowing that we have Ruben in, he’s had his own style and philosophies. He’s had a full preseason with us, he’s starting to bring in the players he wants to play his type of football, and I think we’re going to have a really clear identity in what we’re trying to do.
Jay O’Shea of Brisbane Roar has been through several coaches during his time at the club.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s going to be a year when we’re trying to push back into finals.”
O’Shea has seen signs a turnaround is imminent, crediting Zadkovich’s desire to usher Queensland talent into the top level.
The coach estimates he has awarded more than 20 debuts to players under 21 in his career, and believed it was his duty to look “at the potential of some players, not where they’re at right now”.
He has closely watched the National Premier League with interest, convinced he would unearth diamonds in the ruff who had not yet been identified.
From there, he said it became about providing a fearless, pressure-infused environment that not only challenged them to be at their best each day, but feel reassured every exhausting test was done in the interest of their careers.
“I’m certainly not looking backwards at the turmoil that’s happened before I took over. What I am working very hard on it making sure we implement a process for this club,” Zadkovich said.
“I’m a massive believer in if you want to have a club which represents one state like us, you need to have Queenslanders involved.”
Ruben Zadkovich
“The process and environment sustains the success, and that takes time, but I feel like we’re well underway. If we get all that right, and we stay together as one club and create the right culture, then the success will be the byproduct of that.
“Character is really important for me in the dressing room, you need to have a different spread of personalities and intellects, and we’ve tried to be very diverse with the type of people we bring to the club.
“They all share the same vision, and that’s to make the Brisbane Roar a big club again.”
