The pressure on Brisbane Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich has intensified after a seventh consecutive home defeat -- but the former Socceroo says he still has the backing of the club’s hierarchy to continue.
Botttom club Roar's 1-0 loss to Perth Glory on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium equalled the 2005/06 record set by the now defunct New Zealand Knights.
Brisbane, a proud club with three championships and two premierships on their roll of honour, are on just two points after eight matches.
Zadkovich took on a tough gig at the Roar.
Last year former head coach Ross Aloisi left the club just two months into the season. His assistant Luciano Trani was appointed interim head coach and was axed after one match, an 8-1 thrashing by Melbourne City.
Ben Cahn was then appointed coach and lasted five games before stepping down due to illness. Zadkovich took over for the rest of the season as interim boss for 12 matches - winning three, drawing four and losing five - before inking a two-year deal as head coach.
AAP asked Roar CEO Kaz Patafta for comment on the Zadkovich coaching situation but the Brisbane boss has remained silent about contractual matters.
Zadkovich, 38, said he had the backing of the club's hierarchy. "I have got the support of the people I deal with in the club and until I hear otherwise I will continue to do what is best for this club," he said.
"Let me give you the tip. I am doing everything. Everything … every single day and so are my staff and my players.
"Last is not where we want to be. It certainly hurts, but none more so than for me because the responsibility is on my shoulders.
"I hear and feel the frustrations, especially from our fans and members. Asides from all that emotion we have to continue to work hard and improve in every single facet."
Zadkovich said he was "fine under pressure".
"That’s what I signed up for," he shrugged.
"Let’s think back to when I came to this club. Very difficult circumstances. They had lost seven of their last eight. I came in as assistant to Ben and then he was gone a week later. I am well aware of the difficulties the club is in and the circumstances.
"What needs to remain clear is the vision and focus for us to get out of this situation as a club.”
The Roar failed to take their chances in front of goal against Glory despite what Zadkovich said were “over 50 final-third entries”.
The coach said the side’s effort was still there. No-one could accuse the Roar of throwing in the towel against Glory but none of their players performed to a standard needed to win games in the ALM.
As is often the case with cellar dwellers, nothing went right before or during the match. Former Socceroos forward Ben Halloran missed the game with gastro. Ben Warland went off with a suspected ACL rupture. His replacement Hosine Bility popped a shoulder, strapped it up and went back after halftime.
Keegan Jelacic rattled the underside of the bar and Adam Zimarino and Jack Hingert missed sitters in front of an open goal.
"You could see the players giving everything until the very last whistle of the game and as a manager sometimes that is the bare minimum and all you can ask for," Zadkovich said.
The Roar next play Western United away on Sunday.
