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AAP
AAP
Sport
Justin Chadwick

D'Avray returns as Glory appoint Zadkovich

Perth Glory have appointed Ruben Zadkovich as coach for the next two A-League Men seasons. (AAP)

Perth Glory have appointed Ruben Zadkovich as coach for the next two A-League Men seasons, while Kenny Lowe and Mich d'Avray have returned to help the club's rebuild.

Zadkovich took over from sacked coach Richard Garcia for the final 10 games of last season.

Although the 36-year-old only managed to guide Glory to one win and two draws during that stretch, he did it with what was largely a youth squad given the amount of senior players who were out injured.

Glory ended up collecting the wooden spoon for the first time in their proud history.

As part of Glory's restructure, former coaches Lowe and d'Avray have been brought into the fold, as well as former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Millwall and Portsmouth assistant Joe Gallen.

Gallen will serve as Zadkovich's senior assistant, Lowe has been appointed PGFC academy director on a "long-term contract" while d'Avray will become the club's technical consultant.

Former Socceroo Chris Coyne will serve as an assistant coach as well as the club's NPL coach.

Recently retired striker Andy Keogh has been named as head of recruitment.

Former Ispwich Town striker D'Avray, who also coached Cape Town Spurs to a league and cup double in 1993-94 in South Africa, first arrived at Glory in 1998 as assistant to Bernd Stange.

After replacing the German in 2001, d'Avray led Glory to three grand finals and two titles, helping establish the club as one of the best in the now-defunct NSL.

Lowe was Glory's coach from 2013 until 2018, leading the club to 52 wins and 27 draws from his 128 games in charge.

Zadkovich was forced to retire at the age of 29 after 151 ALM appearances due to a debilitating knee injury.

After taking over as Glory's interim coach following the sacking of Garcia, Zadkovich made it clear he was ready for the full-time gig.

He believes the quality of coaches around him will allow him to thrive.

"I have known Joe since he coached me as a 17-year-old at QPR," Zadkovich said.

"I also worked under Kenny and I played with both Chris and Andy, so I know exactly what they each bring to the table.

"The football department team we have assembled has all the ingredients required to drive this proud club forward."

Glory owner Tony Sage feels he has assembled a coaching team that can guide the club to success.

"The presence of Joe Gallen and Mich d'Avray will provide a wealth of experienced support around a young and dynamic head coach in Ruben Zadkovich," Sage said.

"Kenny Lowe brings a track record for developing young WA players which is second to none.

"Chris Coyne is set to continue to play a versatile and vital role within the football department and Andy Keogh's network of local, national and international contacts will prove invaluable as the club seeks to build a squad capable of challenging for silverware on a regular basis."

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