Stan Lazaridis appointed as Perth Glory’s Director of Football

Perth Glory, under new chairman Ross Pelligra, made a significant move by appointing former Socceroo Stan Lazaridis as the club’s Director of Football. Lazaridis, a veteran of over 250 games with West Ham United and Birmingham City, as well as 60 appearances for Australia, expressed a desire to enhance the team, elevate the club’s financial health, and boost attendance at HBF Park.

Emphasizing his commitment to the club, Lazaridis cited unfinished business and a passion to see Perth Glory thrive once more. He stressed the importance of fan engagement, competitiveness on the field, and financial stability. Lazaridis prioritizes reinforcing the team’s roster and engaging with players whose contracts are expiring, while aiming to strike a balance between financial responsibility and on-field success.

With only 13 games for Perth Glory during the twilight of his playing career, Lazaridis brings a wealth of experience to the role. His involvement in the 2006 World Cup alongside Australian football peers Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano added to his credentials, with Pelligra highlighting their influence in Lazaridis’s return to the club.

Pelligra praised Lazaridis for his leadership qualities and highlighted his past contributions to the careers of Grella and Bresciano. The chairman envisions Lazaridis as a crucial figure in nurturing the next generation of football talents at Perth Glory, a role Lazaridis is eager to embrace.

Lazaridis’s return to Perth Glory signifies a strategic move to revitalize the club’s operations. With a focus on squad strengthening, financial stability, and fan engagement, Lazaridis aims to propel Perth Glory back to the summit of Australian football under his expert guidance.