Wanderers are proud to officially announce the appointment of Ian Crook as Assistant Coach of the Hyundai A-League squad.
NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers are proud to officially announce the appointment of Ian Crook as Assistant Coach of the Hyundai A-League squad.
The former National Soccer League Coach of the Year steps into the position following Ante Milicic-s departure to join the Socceroos coaching staff.
Having won two Hyundai A-League Championships as an Assistant Coach, Crook brings experience and pedigree to Tony Popovic-s backroom staff.
Originally crossing paths with Popovic in 1997 playing for J-League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Crook is relishing the opportunity to reunite with his old teammate and become reinvolved with Hyundai A-League football.
“I-ve been out of the Hyundai A-League for 18 months and while it was good to have a break I-ve really missed coaching so I-m looking forward to getting back into it,” said Crook.
On top of an impressive resume in Australia as a head coach, assistant coach and technical director Crook originally made his name playing in the top flight of English football.
The dynamic midfielder made his senior debut with Tottenham Hotspur before signing to Norwich City where he was capped over 400 times across an 11 year tenure that resulted in Crook being inducted into the club-s Hall of Fame.
Moving forward Crook will not only aid the club with his wealth of knowledge as an assistant but will also initiate the Western Sydney Wanderers youth academy.
Crook will play a crucial role in the set-up, implementation and development of the academy with an eye to continue the technical and mental quality that the Club has shown in its first two seasons.
“It-s incredible what everybody has achieved here at the Wanderers, they-ve set a fantastic platform and hopefully it will continue going forward,” continued Crook.
“It-s about improving day-to-day so that is what we-ll look to do.”
The opportunity to be involved with the most passionate fans in Australia played no small part in luring him to the Red and Black.
“The fans of Western Sydney are the talk of the whole sporting world, not just the football world.
“Everyone is talking about the RBB and what they-ve brought to the game. It-s a special atmosphere at Wanderland, the fans made it that way and I-m really looking forward to experiencing it.”
