Michael Valkanis to take over as Brisbane Roar coach following Ruben Zadkovich’s axing

Brisbane Roar officials have finally acted on the club’s poor form by parting ways with coach Ruben Zadkovich and naming his replacement.

Former Adelaide United captain Michael Valkanis will be unveiled as Brisbane Roar’s new coach on Wednesday after the struggling A-League club confirmed the sacking of Ruben Zadkovich.

Despite having a year of his coaching contract remaining, Zadkovich has been axed following the club’s poor form during his season-and-a-half in charge.

News Corp Australia reported last month that Valkanis, 50, was set to take charge of the Roar, who finished second last on the ladder this season, winning only five of their 26 games.

The Roar has also parted ways with Zadkovich’s assistant coach Chris Coyne, with Valkanis understood to be bringing with him to Brisbane a European assistant and analyst.

Michael Valkanis is Brisbane Roar’s new coach. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Valkanis, whose most recent coaching job with Turkish team Adana Demirspor lasted less than three months before he parted ways with the club in September last year, will coach the Roar for the first time next Wednesday when Brisbane meets Wellington Phoenix in an Australia Cup playoff in Darwin.

A former Socceroos defender, Valkanis has also had head coaching roles with Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) and Eupen (Belgium) and was an assistant to ex-Melbourne City coach John van ‘t Schip at Dutch clubs PEC Zwolle and Ajax and the Greek national team.

He has also previously held caretaker coaching jobs at Adelaide United and Melbourne City.

In confirming Zadkovich’s sacking on Tuesday, Roar chief executive officer Kaz Patafta said: “The club would like to acknowledge and thank Ruben for his commitment and efforts during his tenure in Brisbane. Ruben leaves with our best wishes for his future endeavours, as we begin to chart a new course here at the club.”

Zadkovich thanked Patafta and Roar football director Zac Anderson for the “opportunity to coach at this great club”.

Originally published as Michael Valkanis to take over as Brisbane Roar coach following Ruben Zadkovich’s axing