Perth Glory has confirmed that the club’s Liberty A-League Head Coach, Alex Epakis, has signed a one-year contract extension which will see him remain in charge for the 2022-23 season.
Currently in his second year at the helm, the 30-year-old has overseen a remarkable campaign in which his side have established themselves as serious Finals contenders, despite being based in Sydney since the turn of the year and having to play all bar one of their fixtures away from home.
Having recorded five wins and three draws from 11 games, Glory currently sit just three points outside the top four, with three regular-season games left to play.
Epakis has also established an impressive track record over the last two seasons for handing first-team opportunities to young players, many of whom have developed into consistent performers at Liberty A-League level.
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The former Sydney University Head Coach is thrilled to have pledged his future to the club and is confident that his squad will continue to evolve and improve throughout the remainder of this season and onwards into 2022-23.
“I am really excited to extend my stay with Perth Glory,” Epakis said.
“I am really passionate about the club and am wholeheartedly invested in the entire playing group and the support staff.
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“The opportunity to continue to work alongside a fantastic group of committed players and people is something that really drives me on a daily basis and I am determined to help the group achieve success.
“As a team, we have faced and overcome some difficult moments, but we are focused on a clear vision.
“I am well supported by an excellent staff and together we are committed to ensuring that the team finishes this current season as strongly as possible and to continuing our growth and success into next season.
“Finally, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Glory Owner and Chairman Tony Sage, CEO Tony Pignata and Football Operations Manager Terry McFlynn, for their ongoing support.
“I appreciate that they have trust in my work and vision and I sincerely thank them for the opportunity to represent the club.”
Pignata, meanwhile, was quick to acknowledge the impact Epakis has had upon the club and believes that he has the potential to help re-establish Glory among the Liberty A-League’s most consistently successful clubs.
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“Alex has done an excellent job this year under the most trying of circumstances,” Pignata said.
“He has successfully reshaped the squad and we have certainly come a long way since last year.
“It has been incredibly tough for the players and staff to spend so long on the road, but Alex has kept them motivated and focused and that has been reflected by some of the hugely-impressive performances they have produced this year.
“We are confident that he has the ability to use the positives from this season as a springboard for further success in 2022-23.”
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