Former Perth Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich to take charge of Brisbane Roar from Ben Cahn
Brisbane Roar has yet another new coach after Ben Cahn was forced to stand down for medical reasons.
Brisbane Roar has a fourth different coach in the space of six weeks, with recently appointed assistant Ruben Zadkovich taking over from an ill Ben Cahn.
Ross Aloisi’s December 24 departure was the start of a coaching merry-go-round at the struggling A-League club.
Having been appointed in an interim capacity originally until the end of the season, Aloisi’s replacement Luc Trani was in charge for just one game – an embarrassing 8-1 loss to Melbourne City – before being replaced by Cahn on January 2.
Cahn’s appointment came soon after he underwent throat surgery after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
In his five matches in charge, Cahn had a record of one win and four losses, including a 2-0 defeat last Saturday against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
On his return to Brisbane, Cahn informed Roar officials he was unable to continue coaching – for now – for medical reasons, and had been subsequently placed on “indefinite medical leave”.
“It’s an incredibly difficult decision to step away from something I’ve worked so hard for, but my health and my family come first,” Cahn said.
“I’m very grateful to management for supporting me in this decision and have no doubts that they’ll continue to take the club forward.”
Roar chairman and chief executive officer Kaz Patafta said the club would “stand by” Cahn, who turns 36 later this month
“As a professional sporting club our first priority is our people,” Patafta said.
“Ben’s health is paramount to all of us. We stand by Ben during this time and are grateful for his transparent and conscientious decision-making.”
For 37-year-old ex-Socceroo Zadkovich, who only joined the Roar’s coaching staff last week, it’s a return to a head coaching role following his departure from Perth Glory at the end of last season.
Zadkovich’s first game in charge of the Roar is on Friday night against A-League leaders Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium.