Perth Glory interim coach Ruben Zadkovich hopes the wooden spooners' shock home win over Melbourne City can prove a step towards turning things around next A-League Men season, when he could well be at the helm full-time.
The Glory snapped a 16-game winless run in style on Wednesday and finished a tough season on a high note by stunning City, who were looking to seal the premiership, with a 2-0 victory at HBF Park.
"I've been saying even through some of the losses that there have been some some big positives to take from that. Tonight is another massive positive," Zadkovich said.
"A win like that will be another part of the foundations of our successes next year and moving forward.
"My belief doesn't waver through tough times.
"I've been trying to impart to the boys that the hardships are actually the best times where you learn the most about yourself and about other people around you and which ones are willing to come with you and work hard and which ones aren't.
"Tonight we had a whole group of people that represented themselves and the team in the club really well, and it'll be a huge bit of belief that the boys need."
Zadkovich has been linked to landing the Glory coaching role on a full-time basis after 10 games in the interim role, which have delivered one win, two draws and seven losses.
"Of course (I want the job), but my ambitions, even with the final game done and dusted, are parked at the moment," he said.
"Because my job is to look after the club, the football club and to rebuild this team and that process is well and truly underway and there's a lot of hard work to be done. .
"It's a proud club, and we need to get it off the bottom of the ladder and start climbing."
Perth can't pack up the tools just yet as they'll have to prepare for their away Australia Cup (formerly FFA Cup) play-off match in mid-May.
"A few guys in there were, staff and players, joking about having a day off but those that know me well know that I'm not interested in days off, I'm interested in hard work," Zadkovich said.
"We've certainly got a lot of improvement needed in a lot of areas at this club and tomorrow will be another day to get back on the grass and improve."
Meanwhile young gun Joshua Rawlins has signed with FC Utrecht until 2026.
