After being announced as the new Head Coach of the Westfield Matildas, Sydney FC W-League Head Coach Alen Stajcic expressed his delight at being awarded the top job.
Having guided the Westfield Matlidas as interim to a runner up spot in the 2014 AFC Asian Cup, Stajcic is targeting bigger and better things with progression at the forefront of his mind starting with the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year.
“I’m extremely proud and honoured just like any person that gets to represent their country,” Stajcic said.
“There’s no bigger thrill. I can’t wait to get started and I’m extremely enthusiastic and excited at the prospect of leading such a talented group of players to the World Cup.
“I obviously want to get out of the group and improve our ranking,” he continued.
“We’re in the top 10 at the moment but our goal for this period is to move into the top five and be a serious medal contender in each major tournament and that takes a lot of hard work.”
Having coached Sydney FC since the W-League’s inception in 2008, Stajcic believes his transition into the role will be made easier by his familiarity with the players he’s both coached and faced.
The two-time Championship winning Head Coach feels his previous time spent with the National team will further serve him in good stead as he heads into camp for the first time in January with the World Cup then six months away.
“I’ve seen every player who’s come through, played with, played against, coached and coached against so obviously that’s going to help,” said Stajcic.
“Not only that but having known the players for a long time now having been coaching for a few years and definitely guiding the girls at the Asian Cup as interim will ease the transition.
“At the end of the day I know most of the players fairly well so I’m sure that will help with the transition of the job and we’ll be able to hit the ground running when the camp get together in January.”
For the near future at least, Stajcic will continue to guide the Sky Blues as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the Westfield W-League 2014 season as he juggles both Matildas duties and his Sydney FC priorities.
“I want the best from the National Team and I want the best from Sydney FC,” he said.
“That’s the priority, and on top of that I want the best from the Sydney FC players potentially in line to play for the national team.”
Sydney FC continues their Westfield W-League campaign away to the Western Sydney Wanderers in the first of two W-League Sydney Derbies at Marconi Stadium on Saturday 27 September (kick off 3pm).
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