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Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich has been the focus of two malicious rumours this season, but he won't let it take his focus away from the job at hand in Perth.
Perth Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich says he will concentrate on improving the team's on-field fortunes rather than conducting a "witch hunt" into the distracting rumours leaking out of the club.
Zadkovich was firmly in the spotlight this week after rumours emerged that he had punched midfielder Giordano Colli during a bust-up at training on Tuesday.
The first-year coach has categorically denied he struck the 22-year-old midfielder, saying they had merely collided and fell to the ground during a five versus five game at training.
It marks the second time this season that Zadkovich has been the subject of a malicious rumour.
The first one was about seven weeks ago, when it was rumoured Zadkovich had fallen out with defender Mark Beevers and forward Ryan Williams during a fiery exchange at training.
This week's rumour has been an unwanted distraction heading into Sunday's A-League Men clash with the Roar in Brisbane.
Zadkovich thinks there's someone purposely spreading false rumours, but doesn't want to get sucked into their game.
"First of all we have to try to find out where it started, and that's difficult to do," Zadkovich said.
"It's a distraction, I'm pretty certain that's exactly what they want us to be doing - and that's for us to be distracted from our job of trying to win games.
"The league's very tight at the moment, and we don't have too much time and effort to go on a witch hunt on who started rumours.
"But we're a very resolute group and we've got a very strong belief, and that won't waver through the hardships.
"They're a great group with some great leaders - Mustafa Amini, Mark Beevers.
"I could list six or seven more fantastic leaders that will rally the troops together and make sure we look after the younger ones."
Brisbane have also endured a turbulent week after sacking coach Warren Moon on Monday.
Nick Green has been appointed interim coach, and he'll get his first crack of leading the side on Sunday.
The Roar entered the round in 11th place after posting just three wins and eight draws from their first 17 games.
Glory sit four points adrift of the top six, and need to beat Brisbane in order to stay within striking distance of a finals berth.
Perth captain Amini returns after missing last week's 2-2 draw with Central Coast due to a back injury, while Darryl Lachman is available after serving his one-match suspension.
