Michael Valkanis emerges as leading contender to replace Ruben Zadkovich as Brisbane Roar coach

Brisbane Roar are in pursuit of a former Socceroos defender to become the club’s new coach.

Former Adelaide United captain Michael Valkanis has emerged as the leading contender to coach Brisbane Roar next season.

With current Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich expected to be sacked when Brisbane’s disastrous 2024-25 A-League campaign ends next weekend, 50-year-old Valkanis is understood to be the club’s preferred option to take charge of the struggling outfit.

Valkanis’ most recent coaching job was with Turkish team Adana Demirspor, but that gig lasted less than three months before he parted ways with the club in September last year.

Brisbane Roar are expected to part ways with Ruben Zadkovich. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The former Socceroos defender 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.

Valkanis has also held previous caretaker coaching jobs at Adelaide United and Melbourne City.

The Roar – who are second last on the ladder with just three wins from 24 matches – play their final home game of the season on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium against Wellington Phoenix, before completing their campaign next Friday night in Gosford against Central Coast Mariners.

Brisbane also has an Australia Cup playoff match in Darwin next month, but it’s unknown whether Zadkovich will still be in charge by then.