NEW Perth Glory NPL coach Richard Garcia is looking forward to bringing his own coaching style to the field this season.
The Perth Glory assistant coach steps in as head coach after supporting John Gibson in the role last season.
Garcia, of Stirling, said he would draw on what he had learned from Glory head coach Tony Popovic for the NPL season.
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READ NOW“But it will be good to have my own team and coach my own way,” Garcia said.
He said the NPL was a great way to bridge the gap between the senior team and youth players.
“They need to know what’s required at that level and the way we play as well as the habits and mentality and traits we’re looking for in them,” Garcia said.
“They’re playing against men and getting that physical battle they probably wouldn’t get playing kids their own age.
“Seventeen-and-a-half is the average age (in the Perth Glory NPL team) so they have to pull together and grow up quickly in this competition.”
Garcia said winning was the minimum goal in any season but contributing to a young player stepping up to the seniors would also be a good outcome for him.
Litis Stadium, Mt Hawthorn will be Perth Glory’s NPL home ground this season and Garcia encourages soccer fans to get along to matches and witness some young Glory stars of the future.
Glory’s first match is against Floreat Athena on Saturday, March 16.
Garcia’s 2019 predictions
Top scorer – Daniel Stynes
Best First Year Player – Gabriel Popovic
One to Watch – Henry Hore