On Monday, Perth Glory released a statement announcing that their A-League Women coach, Alex Epakis, had decided to leave the club for personal reasons.
Epakis had been in charge for four seasons and 66 games, making him the longest-serving coach in Glory’s history.
In the statement released by Glory, Epakis explained why he felt the need to leave:
“Despite the strategy and plans collectively put in place for next season by myself, Football Director Stan Lazaridis and CEO Anthony Radich, I have made the difficult decision to step down from my position due to personal reasons.
“The ongoing support of Anthony, Stan and previous management has been exceptional across my time at the club and I appreciate their understanding of my decision,” he said.
He also paid tribute to the players & staff at Glory and was optimistic about the way forward for Glory under its new ownership:
“I have also hugely valued the opportunity to work with the players and staff across the four seasons.
“I’m extremely grateful to the playing group for the respect and belief they’ve shown me across my tenure and I wish them all the absolute best.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and opportunity of coaching the Perth Glory A-League Women team. It has been an experience which won’t be forgotten and a responsibility which I have sincerely valued.
“I believe the club is heading in the right direction and that the strong leadership of Anthony, Stan and the Pelligra Group will no doubt return Perth Glory to its competitive best. I look forward to seeing the club progress and achieve future success.”
Epakis arrived at the club in November 2020 and during his 66-game tenure had a win ratio of 31% with 21 wins, 14 draws and 33 losses. He failed to deliver finals football, with the closest being in his second season when they missed out due to goal difference and finished 5th.
In his other seasons, the team finished bottom in 2020/21, 6th in 2022/23 and a hugely disappointing 10th in 2023/24, as his side went on a 12-game winless streak.
The lack of finals football is an obvious negative for Epakis, but on the plus side of the ledger was the number of WA-based players brought in, many of whom earned their national league debuts. Sadie Lawrence returned to Glory after a lengthy absence in season 2021/22, with Poppie Hooks and Gemma Craine making their debuts in the same season. Isabella Foletta returned in 2022/23 and 2023/24 debuts were given to Georgia Cassidy, Grace Johnston, Clara Hoarau, Tanika Lala and Tia Stonehill, with Mischa Anderson and Lily Bailey in the squad but not getting any game time.
There is no doubt that the lack of genuine investment by the club in the women’s game hampered Epakis. Training facilities are well below the level of an A-League club, and the lack of a women’s academy meant he had no control over the development of young players. Without significant investment from the new owners in the women’s program, the next coach will face similar problems.
Just who that will be is now open for debate. The local NPLW coaches have their supporters, but the reality is that the step from a part-time league to one that is essentially full-time is a big ask, and may well be beyond them.
If Glory decides to opt for someone with more experience then the likes of Andrew Ord (Football West Football Development Officer & ex-Perth Glory assistant coach), Tanya Oxtoby (Northern Ireland coach) and Carolina Morace (ex-Italian international, former coach of Italy, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, AC Milan, Lazio and London City Lionesses) would all bring huge technical knowledge to the role. If Morace were to be selected she would undoubtedly bring in Nicola Williams, who was the inaugural Perth Glory coach and has been Morace’s assistant at Trinidad & Tobago, Lazio, Milan and London City Lionesses. Williams has also been an assistant coach at Papua New Guinea and Leicester City.
