Ian Ferguson named Men's State Team coach
Football West is pleased to announce Ian Ferguson as head coach of the Men’s WA State Team.
The Scot will take charge for the high-profile match against Indonesian top-flight side Persebaya Surabaya at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Wednesday 9 July.
“I’m relishing the challenge and I’m sure the boys are as well. It’ll be a fantastic occasion. We’ll be giving it all and there’ll be nothing left on the table,” said Ferguson, whose squad will be announced at the end of the week.
The passion for football in Indonesia is such that the match is being broadcast live on prime-time national television to a potential audience of millions.
Ferguson said: “This is a massive opportunity for the boys. It is a game against a professional outfit that is going to be broadcast across Asia, so I’m sure they will want to impress. I know I do – it’s a game that excited me when I was asked and I’m looking forward to taking the WA State team forward.”
Ferguson is the current head coach at State League Division One leaders Dianella White Eagles, having previously led Stirling Macedonia to the NPL and Top Four Cup success. He was head coach when Perth Glory reached their maiden A-League grand final in 2012.
“We’ll have the players for four sessions over four weeks, so we’ll have to hit the ground running,” said Ferguson, who confirmed that John Lavery, his assistant at Dianella, will be part of his coaching team.
“I think the biggest challenge for us is not getting the players fit, they are in season with their clubs, so that’s not an issue. It’s more how we want to play, what shape we want to play and giving them their roles. It won’t be difficult and we want them to enjoy it. They are intelligent players.”
As a player himself, Ferguson was football royalty in Scotland. After scoring the winning goal for St Mirren in the 1987 Scottish Cup final, the midfielder moved to Rangers where he helped the Glasgow side win 10 league titles, including a record-equalling nine in a row. He was also part of the outstanding Rangers team under Walter Smith that just missed out on the first UEFA Champions League final in 1992/93.
Football West Chief Operating Officer Perry Ielati said: “It is fantastic that Ian has agreed to become State Team head coach, and I am sure the players will love playing under him to represent Western Australia.
“This is going to be a special event, and we look forward to having a large crowd at the Sam Kerr Football Centre to watch a strong local team competing against one of the best sides in Indonesia. We already have a lot of interest from the Indonesian community in WA, and we know there are over 100 supporters from Surabaya flying in for the game.”
The match has come about after Football West and the Persebaya Surabaya club signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding in December 2024. The MoU is a talent development and exchange program between Football West and the Indonesian club, who are currently fourth in Liga 1.
Mr Iealti added: “Football West has long been committed to building strong relations in Asia and providing opportunities for our players, coaches and match officials. Matches like this help us showcase the work we are doing.
“We would like to thank the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for their continued support in this area.”
Aryn Williams, a defender with 2024 NPL champions Olympic Kingsway, is a former player of Persebaya Surabaya and still a huge favourite with their supporters.
Ticket details for the game will be announced later this week.
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