Alen Stajic works miracles at the Central Coast Mariners

While Stajcic, who took over for the last few games of the 2018-19 season, was in charge for that disastrous run, club owner Mike Charlesworth stuck fast. He and the Mariners fans have reaped their reward as a newly invigorated team playing fast, fluid, energetic football have taken some big scalps en route to their new spot atop the table.

They have already beaten Sydney FC, the defending champions, and on Wednesday night showed their team spirit and fighting qualities to come back from a 2-0 first half deficit to beat Melbourne City 3-2.

Western United coach Mark Rudan, a man never afraid to mince his words, says Stajcic is a miracle worker.

“He’s a magician as far as I’m concerned. He’s turned the place around again.”

Rival coach Mark Rudan on Alen Stajic

“It’s funny [the media] mentioned [the Mariners are] walking on water because right now you’d think Alen Stajcic is Jesus because he’s done a fantastic job with them,” Rudan said in a Zoom press call ahead of the game.

“We all know the fantastic job that he did with the Matildas as well.

“He’s a magician as far as I’m concerned. He’s turned the place around again.”

“This team is the real deal as far as we’re concerned – they’re top of the table for a reason and they deserve to be top of the table. So we play against the best team, for me, in the competition.”

Rudan was frustrated by his team’s goalless draw with Melbourne Victory last weekend but believes Western have what it takes to get a result against the Mariners.

“We are a team that is comfortable on the ball and we back ourselves and it’s important that we match their energy levels … Everything that we do this week has to be perfect and we’ve got to do it with energy, with passion, and positivity,” Rudan said.

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Stajcic celebrated veteran Matt Simon’s role in the come-from-behind win over City and is looking forward to Daniel De Silva’s 100th game on Sunday, but knows that milestones in themselves won’t produce a result.

“”Western have shown plenty in attack and have so many weapons across the pitch, they have threats all over the park,” he said.

But the Mariners won’t change their high-tempo style.

“We had a heavy pre-season and worked hard and the dividends are paying off now with these short turnarounds. You can’t get a lot of training in, rest and recovery has been a priority,” Stajcic said.

“But everyone would rather play than train, so it’s good to be in the rhythm of playing games … and to have had a little bit of a rotation and given everyone some game time has been a positive for our team.”

Meanwhile, Melbourne City has flown new signing Nuno Reis up to the Hunter Valley to join his new teammates ahead of City’s match against Newcastle Jets on Sunday.