Perth Glory begin their 2025/26 campaign this Saturday at home against the Wellington Phoenix, and this edition of the distance derby promises to put both coaches firmly under the microscope.
Yet, to be fair to Giancarlo Italiano, he hasn’t had the luxury of an ex-Manchester United academy product and Welsh international signing arriving on his doorstep a few days ago.
Let’s be blunt: David Zdrilic is under pressure. If he wasn’t already, the acquisition of Tom Lawrence has intensified the spotlight, placing him among the A-League’s most scrutinised coaches, especially given how last season unfolded.
The Ralf Rangnick protégé acknowledged as much in a recent interview with The West Australian’s Ben Smith:
Pressure, whether it’s the first game or the next game, it’s part of the job, and if you can’t work under pressure, then this is the wrong job to be in… it’s a privilege; it means we’re in a position and a sport where it’s a real pleasure to work in.
Over the offseason, Zdrilic oversaw significant backroom changes, including the departure of several experienced West Australian-based staff members, such as Brett Lambert and Danny Milosevic, whose accumulated experience spanned nearly three decades. In their place arrived the likes of Adam Griffiths as assistant coach and German goalkeeping coach Kristian Barbuscak.
Performance Director John Lucas, formerly of Plymouth Argyle and Preston North End, has also joined, tasked with addressing the fitness shortcomings that plagued the squad last season. David Zdrilic has been quick to praise his new recruit:
He brings a lot of experience from the Championship, where they play a lot of games and have to be fit. He’s a different voice, is loved by the group, and it’s brought in a new dynamic. We focus a lot on pressing, but you need to be fit no matter how you play… every team strives to be the fittest in the league, and we’re no different.
Fitness will again be under scrutiny.
Zdrilic frequently lamented players being “underdone” or arriving late or injured during last year’s pre-season. Yet questions persist over whether his training methodology has truly evolved. In the previous season, there were reports indicating that a GPS metric, High Metabolic Load Distance (HMLD), was used as a standalone Key Performance Indicator (KPI), rather than integrated into a holistic load management framework. This reportedly led to training sessions being prematurely capped once players reached the HMLD threshold, effectively limiting total work output.
Such an approach may have contributed to inconsistent conditioning levels and a squad ill-prepared to sustain the high-intensity pressing that underpinned Zdrilic’s style of play.
One thing’s for certain – David Zdrilic can’t complain about a lack of backing. Few A-League coaches in recent memory, particularly those operating under similar circumstances, have been supported as heavily in a single offseason. Even new appointments such as Mark Milligan at Newcastle, Michael Valkanis at Brisbane, or Airton Andrioli at Adelaide haven’t enjoyed the same level of investment and structural support that Zdrilic has had this off-season.
Football Director Stan Lazaridis has faced plenty of (mostly valid) criticism from fans over recruitment decisions over the past 18 months. Yet, to his credit, the 2025/26 Perth Glory squad is almost unrecognisable from last season’s — a reflection of both intent and significant overhaul behind the scenes.
According to Transfermarkt, the Glory’s current squad is valued at €8.45 million (around $15 million AUD), the third-highest in the league, behind only Sydney FC and Auckland, and ahead of the Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne Victory, and Melbourne City.
Part of that figure reflects a large roster, 30 players, but there’s genuine quality and depth across the park.
Oli Sail’s departure to Auckland opens up a battle between new signing Mark Birighitti and fan favourite Cameron Cook for the No.1 shirt.
At left-back, Sam Sutton, a standout across pre-season, is set to be a key contributor once fit, even if there’s a chance he misses the opening fixtures. In central defence, Brian Kaltak and Scott Wootton look like a physically dominant pairing, bringing composure and leadership that should help tighten a backline that has leaked too many goals in recent seasons. Charbel Shamoon adds further depth across the back four.
In midfield, David Zdrilic suddenly has an abundance of options. Callum Timmins returns to the club after a stint at Newcastle, while Rhys Bozinovski, fresh from a breakout year with Western United, adds energy and technical balance. How Zdrilic assembles this group, be it as a double pivot or a midfield three, will be telling.
Further forward, the striker department has been rebuilt, with Jaiden Kucharski (Western United), Arion Sulemani (Melbourne City), and Gabriel Popovic all arriving to provide competition for places.
But the headline “wow signing” is undoubtedly Tom Lawrence, the Welsh international and former Rangers attacker. His arrival represents a statement of intent. If Lawrence can rediscover his rhythm and end product, his technical craft and goal threat could transform a side that managed just 22 goals last season.
How David Zdrilic balances this deep, competitive squad will be crucial. Squad management was a major weakness last year, something Stan Lazaridis himself highlighted in March.
Ultimately, Zdrilic enters this season under immense but justified pressure. This isn’t a pile-on — it’s simply the reality.
It’s worth remembering: David Zdrilic’s win percentage is among the lowest in both club and A-League history. That he’s been entrusted to lead again emphasises the faith of the club hierarchy, a stark contrast to the coaching turnover seen at Glory’s sister club, Catania, under owner Ross Pelligra since 2022.
As Ben Smith noted, the spectre of John Aloisi looms large over any under-pressure coach. Zdrilic is no exception. Add to that the likes of John Anastasiadis, coming off an impressive Australia Cup run with Heidelberg United or championship-winning manager Patrick Kisnorbo waiting in the wings, the need for a strong start is non-negotiable.
Now, while this piece has taken a fairly critical look at David Zdrilic’s tenure, there are genuine reasons to feel excited, or at the very least, intrigued about what lies ahead this season.
In the years since Covid, Glory squads have too often lacked the top-to-bottom quality needed to mount a serious push for finals. This time, though, things feel different. Many fans would agree this is one of the strongest sides the club has assembled in years.
The visa players look solid, Adam Taggart finally has reliable support in the front line, the midfield boasts real depth, and defensively there’s a healthy blend of youth and experience.
Fans heading to HBF Park should do so with a quiet confidence that this team can compete at a much higher level than in recent seasons.
The opening block of fixtures — home clashes against Wellington and Central Coast, sandwiched between both Melbourne clubs — will provide the first real litmus test. By the time the November international break rolls around, we’ll know whether fans can start to dream big again, or whether a change in approach may already be on the cards. One way or another, this stretch should reveal if David Zdrilic’s rebuild is finally ready to deliver what Perth Glory supporters have been craving for five long years: a return to finals football.
