Football
AAP 5y

Bobby Despotovski slams FFA's decision to sack Alen Stajcic

Perth Glory W-League coach Bobby Despotovski has lashed Football Federation Australia for their decision to sack Alen Stajcic, saying he himself would be fired for being a "bully" under those same standards.

Stajcic was controversially fired as head coach of the Matildas following a series of internal reviews and confidential player surveys.

Mystery still surrounds the exact reasons behind Stajcic's axing, with FFA only saying the veteran coach oversaw an "unsatisfactory" team environment.

But Despotovski fears that Stajcic was sacked merely for being a hard taskmaster.

If that's the case, Despotovski says he himself should also be fired because he does the exact same thing at Perth Glory.

"I was 100 percent disappointed in FFA with how they handled the situation," Despotovski said.

"If that can happen, and the survey is an indication of we're sacking the coaches and the coaches are bullies because they have high standards for the players, then you know what, put me in that category because I'm a bully as well.

"I have very high standards for my players, myself, and the club. So if that is classified in women's football as a bully, then I should get sacked. Simple as that, because I'm no different than Alen."

FFA have been inundated with applications for the vacant Matildas job.

But Despotovski isn't one of them, saying he wouldn't want the job given what happened to Stajcic.

"The Matildas is one of the best brands in Australia, and all of a sudden they [FFA] put it in jeopardy," Despotovski said.

"Everybody is a laughing stock now - to the whole of Australia. It's just mind boggling."

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