Adelaide Blue Eagles' new interim player-coach Chad Bugeja inspires comeback win in first game

CHAD Bugeja experienced the harsh realities of coaching in the SA Premier League just 45 minutes into his first match at the helm.

CHAD Bugeja experienced the harsh realities of coaching in the SA Premier League just 45 minutes into his first match at the helm.

The newly installed Adelaide Blue Eagles player-coach was on the pitch a fortnight ago as his side conceded two first half goals at home to White City.

With just the half-time interval to inspire a comeback, the rookie coach had a clear message for his players.

"I told the boys just to keep it simple and get back to basics and not to rush things," the 32 year old said.

"They knew what they had to do, it was just a case of sticking to their guns and putting it into play because we definitely didn't do it in the first half."

The ploy worked as Bugeja led from the front scoring a second half double in the 4-2 win over the Warriors.

"It was a huge relief.

"To come out in the second half and put four away, it was definitely a bit of pay back from when they knocked us out of the cup and a real boost to the season."

Bugeja was last week installed as ABE's interim coach after former supremo Vojo Gluscevic left the club following the shock Federation Cup semi-final defeat to White City.

The former Adelaide United striker said he was "totally shocked" to be offered the role until the end of the season.

"I found out about 48 hours before the game so it was pretty short notice.

"I definitely feel being a player-coach is a disadvantage, because when you are on the sidelines you can see everything.

"But being right on the pitch, you can send messages to each player and it gets there immediately."

Blue Eagles sit fourth on the Premier League table, but equal on points with second-placed Adelaide City with two minor round games left to play.

Despite the coaching reshuffle, Bugeja said his players remained confident of securing a top-two finish ahead of an assault on the club's 11th top flight premiership.

"We've had one of the best squads in the state for about three years now and on a good day, no one comes close to us," he said.

"When our boys switch on it's very hard to not only get the ball of us, but very hard for other teams to keep the ball.

"The main thing for us is to keep winning and keep winning until that grand final."

Bugeja's only coaching experience to date was with his son's under-nine team at Para Hills West.

The Salisbury East resident, who originally hails from Broken Hill, hoped his time in charge at Blue Eagles would propel him towards a permanent senior coaching role in the future.

"I haven't got much experience behind me in the coaching ranks, but coaching is definitely there for me in the future, so we'll see what happens after this year."