Sterjovski aims to spark Bulls' ALM season

New Macarthur boss Mile Sterjovski says he's ready to coach in the A-League Men after turning down an approach to take charge of the Bulls last year.

DANIEL ARZANI.
DANIEL ARZANI. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

New Macarthur boss Mile Sterjovski is confident he can get the best out of Daniel Arzani after accepting the Bulls job on the second time of asking.

Sterjovski was appointed as Dwight Yorke's replacement on Monday after the club parted ways with the Trinidadian following a dressing room blow-up.

The former Socceroo has had just three sessions to prepare the Bulls for Saturday's home game against Western United but does have extensive experience working with Macarthur's NPL side.

How he deploys Arzani, who was used as an impact substitute by Yorke, could play a big part in the Bulls' fortunes as they aim to maintain their place in the top six.

"He's very important when he's on, obviously he's great," Sterjovski said.

"My job is to make sure everyone's firing and everyone's playing in the same way."

Sterjovski said he wanted to play possession-based football, citing the Bulls' inability to keep hold of the ball as a key reason behind their inconsistency.

The 43-year-old said he would look to promote players from within with midfielder Jake Hollman awarded a new two-year contract extension on Friday.

Sterjovski turned down the chance to replace Ante Milicic last year due to his lack of experience that led to the Bulls appointing Yorke.

But he is confident he is ready now to take the plunge into top-flight coaching.

"I think I've had a lot more to learn and a lot more to deal with, even in the NPL space," he said.

"I actually feel like I'm a lot more prepared and I think that's the difference.

"It's going to take a bit of time to get my influence over the team.

"But I want the boys to keep being motivated, we have the same goals from the beginning of the season."

Sterjovski said his side, who are without striker Lachlan Rose and midfielder Danny De Silva due to injury, would look to strengthen in the next few weeks.

"We are speaking to a couple of people to see what we can do," he said.

"At the same time there's a few good young players from our academy we will look at integrating to give us some energy."