Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Anthony Napoli/Brisbane City FC

Brisbane City coach Darron Heselden is in the market for an experienced addition to his young squad but is adamant any new players will have to buy in to long-term thinking.

Heselden has endured a tough initiation since replacing Glen Volker on an interim basis but remains upbeat about his plans for the future of the former PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Grand Finalists.

The former Youth Men’s coach had plenty of praise for the leadership of experienced striker Antonio Murray and captain Mat Biggins, who last week returned from a groin injury, but felt City would benefit from another authoritative figure.

“Obviously we need to tighten up in a few areas and defence is one of those areas,” Heselden said.

“Overall we’re probably a good leader, as far as a good talker goes, short. We need that director, that general out there that’s going to boss them around a little bit and steer the ship at times when we’re under pressure.”

City slumped to a fifth defeat in eight matches last weekend and have conceded more goals than any side in the competition.

However, Heselden remained firm in his desire for the Newmarket outfit to not cut corners in their efforts to stabilise results.

“I’m not looking for a guy that’s right at the end and looking for a pay-packet. I’m looking for a guy that’s going to come in and be part of the idea of having a future,” he said.

“I’m trying to build a legacy here that’s going to take us forward over the next couple of years.

“Whether that’s me in place in that job or someone else, what I’m trying to do is build a foundation for this club to go forward.”

While Heselden would be happy to take on the job more permanently, he’s concentrating on laying the groundwork for success in his time in charge.

That means opportunities for homegrown talents and a consistent plan for the future.

“I’m not really too concerned too much about my job in the sense of whether it’s long term or not, because if it’s not I’ll just go back to the U20s,” he said.

“If it is, well, great, I’ll move forward and try to take the club in a direction.

“A lot of it will depend on what people are focussed on. If people are focussed purely on results then I don’t think it really matters whose coaching the side at the moment, no one’s going to turn it around in a hurry because of the fact we’ve got so many young players.”