Liverpool great Robbie Fowler has achieved a major post-playing ambition after being named the new head coach of A-League strugglers Brisbane Roar. The 44-year-old has signed on a two-year deal with the Roar after beating a field of over 150 applicants for the role, which has been vacant since ex-Socceroo John Aloisi’s departure in late December. Fowler reportedly got the nod ahead of ex-Welsh international Carl Robinson and outgoing Adelaide United boss Marco Kurz.

A storied player who scored 183 goals in 369 matches for the English Premier League giants, the job will be Fowler’s first major coaching position since retiring in 2012. A short stint as player-coach of Thai Premier League club Muangthong United is the only senior coaching role Fowler has previously held.

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Fowler holds a Uefa pro coaching licence and says he put his hand up for the Roar position as soon as it was available. “Why not? For me it’s a massive opportunity, coming over here, coaching a top club in a country I’ve always loved,” he said. “I’ve worked hard getting this job. I wanted people to take me seriously, that’s why I went down the route of doing all the badges because I know people would take me serious then. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time … I think I’ve shown people how passionate and committed I am.”

Fowler, who played in the A-League for the North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory in the latter stages of his career, said the Roar are a club that deserve to be at the top end of the competition. “There’s not going to be any stone left unturned,” he said. “I’m going to do everything right. There’s going to be plenty of hours on the training pitch to bring the club and the team up to speed. Massively looking forward to it. Obviously can’t wait to get going now.”

Roar chief executive David Pourre said Fowler’s previous experience in the A-League and specifically Queensland had been a big part of winning the position. “His insatiable hunger to succeed was clearly a standout against any other candidate as well,” Pourre said. “For the club, I think it’s a great day.”

Fowler will be in the crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday as the Roar bring down the curtain on a forgettable 2018-19 campaign against Adelaide United. The once-mighty Roar, who won three A-League grand finals in 2011, 2012 and 2014, have won just four matches this season and sit second-last on the competition ladder.

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Fowler’s first challenge will be rebuilding a squad which has endured an awful 2018-19 season. With just one match remaining, the Roar are second last, having won just four of 26 matches this season. Most recently they were humiliated 6-1 by seventh-placed Newcastle last weekend.

Veteran captain Matt McKay has announced he will retire after Thursday’s Anzac Day clash with Adelaide at Suncorp Stadium, while Brazilian veteran Henrique will not be part of the playing group next season. French marquee Eric Bautheac is among several Roar players off-contract and has been linked to Melbourne Victory before an expected shake-up of the Brisbane squad. Fowler is expected to be given free rein at the Roar regarding recruitment.

Interim head coach Darren Davies, who’ll remain in the role for the visit of Adelaide, will stay on as an assistant to Fowler. The ex-England international will also bring former Everton and Manchester City player Tony Grant from the United Kingdom as an assistant.