Western Sydney Wanderers 2024/25 A-League Men season review

As Marko Rudan’s tenure eventually came to a climatic end as Western Sydney Wanderers manager, the club was ready to embark on a new era, in Round Ball Australia’s next season review.

In stepped Alen Stajcic, who, despite leading Perth Glory to the wooden spoon the season prior, was tasked with maximising the Wanderers’ potential, just as he had done with the Central Coast Mariners a few years earlier.

The signing of 2010 World Cup winner Juan Mata sparked complete and utter euphoria in Western Sydney, a city so deeply passionate about football. But in hindsight, would that coup end up being beneficial or detrimental?

Season Grade: C+

Such high expectations before a ball was kicked were quickly dampened after a rough first five matches, as the Wanderers picked up just one win and lost two Sydney Derbies during that time frame.

In the blink of an eye, the discussion turned from a potential top-four berth to an embarrassing bottom-four position and doubts grew large as to whether Stajcic was the right man for the job.

However, to his credit, Stajcic assembled the right pieces to create a cohesive and productive squad, one that went on a 12-match unbeaten run before exiting at home in the elimination final against Melbourne Victory.

The attacking potency of Brandon Borrello, Nicolas Milanovic, and Zac Sapsford was always going to lead to productive efficiency, so it’s no surprise that they accumulated the most goals during the regular season (58).

It was the defensive end that caused the Wanderers all sorts of issues, which was expected given the departure of centre-back Marcelo during the off-season. You have to look back on their 4-3 defeat to Adelaide United in Round 3 as a prime example of the countless defensive errors and mishaps.

So to turn the tide as quickly as they did should be recognised, but a finals appearance was always going to be the bare minimum for a side yet to clinch the Championship, and for that, an average grade is reasonable.

“Cowardly” act places Juan Mata at the centre of controversy

Entering the frame with so much expectation and promise given his previous experiences with Manchester United and Chelsea, Juan Mata was tipped to light up the A-League Men.

True football realists, however, didn’t ignore the fact that the then-36-year-old hadn’t featured in a competitive match in over 12 months since he departed Japan’s Vissel Kobe, in what was his only appearance for the club.

Struggling to wiggle his way into the starting line-up in the first few fixtures, Mata’s agent and former A-League star, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, let loose with an extraordinary rant.

“I think it’s just insane… I don’t understand it,” a furious Khalfallah told the A-League Off Air podcast.

“I think it’s disrespectful. I hate it. I really, really hate it because it makes no sense to me.

“And I’m so sick, so sick of those coaches saying, ‘Oh yeah, but the intensity (of the A-League)’… OK, we will talk about someone who won the World Cup, won the Euro, Champions League, played in England for 10 years – he’s always been one of the most intelligent and most technical players of his generation.

“He wasn’t quick, he wasn’t the strongest. So despite that, he was one of the best players in the world.

“And we’re talking about A-League intensity? You must be kidding.”

As if Stajcic wasn’t already feeling the pressure of having to find a way to fit a superstar of the competition into his system, now he was called out publicly by a big-name figure, so it was no shock that the former Matildas boss responded emphatically.

“I think he’s got a bit too much oxygen, to be honest,” Stajcic said when asked about Khalfallah’s comments after the Wanderers’ 4-2 loss to Sydney.

“I don’t need to talk to agents when their players aren’t playing. I think his comments were out of order, they were cowardly and cowardly for a number of reasons. I’ve only spoken to him two or three times in my life.”

Now, Stajcic could’ve easily crumbled under the pressure piled on from both the board and Khalfallah himself, but the 51-year-old’s resilience soon paid off once he finally found the winning formula without Mata being the focal point.

In fact, during that impressive 12-game unbeaten streak, Mata failed to start in any of those contests.

Failed last-minute move proves a blessing in disguise

Whether he played in a wide midfield role or as an advanced attacking winger, Nicolas Milanovic could do no wrong as he picked up the Johnny Warren Medal, becoming the first Wanderers player to win the prestigious honour.

But things could’ve been so different.

The 23-year-old was inches away from securing a move to Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb before the season commenced, but the deal fell through, allowing the fans to appreciate his talent up close for another season.

In 26 games, Milanovic registered 12 goals and six assists as he looked a constant threat in every attacking move, helped by his natural leadership skills, which will do him a world of good at his new destination for Scottish club Aberdeen.

It’s not often a reliable centre-forward records more assists than goal output, but that’s exactly what Brandon Borrello offered with six goals and 11 assists.

The Socceroo has been hit with injuries in the past, but his hold-up play and willingness to bring other players into the game are admirable traits that Stajcic came to respect.

Josh Brillante deserves praise as well, who at the centre of midfield proved his biggest critics wrong who argued that he isn’t mobile enough or can’t get around the pitch to protect the back four. Instead, he quickly became the heart and soul of the club’s revival along with Milanovic.

A solid foundation to build on

Having committed to a two-year extension at the start of June, the club has secured its faith in Stajcic to elevate his side to the next level.

Yes, they’ve now lost their best player in Milanovic to a new opportunity overseas as well as Zac Sapsord, but this is a team which has ample room for growth if the right areas are attended to in the transfer market such as the defence.

Home to one of the most passionate supporter bases in the league, fans will be less forgiving if Stajcic begins the new campaign on the wrong note yet again.