Macarthur FC's newest signing Matt Jurman, with the side's mascot Arthur. Photo Credit: Steven Poletti/The Inner Sanctum. Graphic Design: Madeline Irwin
Ahead of its biggest season to date in the club’s short history, A-League Men side Macarthur FC have announced the signing of Matt Jurman on a one-year deal.
The eight-time Socceroo, said to The Inner Sanctum, that coach Mile Sterjovski was a key reason behind the decision to join Macarthur.
“I’ve worked with Mile before in the Socceroos in a different capacity, but I’ve seen what he’s about as a person and I think he’s got a lot of experience as a player and I’m looking forward to finding out how he goes as a coach now,” he said.
Macarthur finished last in the 2022/23 A-League Men season, but won the Australia Cup, so Jurman knows the challenge and expectations ahead of him and the team this season.
“Obviously it’s a team effort and I’m not going to be able to do it by myself,” he said.
“With Uli (Ulises Davila) and these experienced boys, Tommy (Tomislav Uskok), Kurto (Filip Kurto), all these older boys, I think we can definitely instill a lot of our experience.
“It comes down to having that winning mentality. That comes from inside, and for us as a team, we need to instill that.”
Having spent some time at Al-Ittihad, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Sydney FC and Brisbane playing in continental competition, the 33-year-old will be able to use that wealth of knowledge and experience to help Macarthur through its continental commitments.
“I think I can give a lot of experience to the team, having played in Asian Cup competitions many times, and had some successful times in those teams,” he said.
“[I’m] looking forward to the season, to the cups, giving my experience to the younger boys.
“I’ve always been a winner. I don’t like losing, and that’s something I want to instill into the team as well, just to make sure going forward there’s no stone left unturned.”
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The AFC Cup will bring about some new destinations for Jurman, which is something he’s keen for.
“Any new club or country I haven’t been to would be a good experience,” he said.
“Having mainly gone to Japan, Korea, and China in these tournaments, a chance to go to some of these other countries, I’m looking forward to the draw and seeing who we get.
“I think we can go all the way, why not?
“That’s the goal we should be setting for ourselves.”
Jurman said he was looking forward to getting settled in at Macarthur, describing himself as getting “itchy feet” after departing the Jets and having a good break.
“I’m looking forward to starting next week and getting to know the boys and the staff, and just getting around the club, meeting the fans at the game,” he said.
“If we start well, hopefully we can get a lot of fans behind us as we move into Asia and the A-League.”
More fans of course will bring more cowbells, which have become a signature staple of Macarthur home games.
“The more cowbells, the better,” he said.
“You know what they are (and) what sort of fan base they’re coming from when you do hear them.”
Sterjovski talked about the experience Jurman will bring to the side.
“Matty is a strong defender, a natural leader and adds a lot of experience to our squad,” Sterjovski said.
“Having worked with him in the Socceroos, I believe he’ll be a great addition to our backline and is a natural fit for our club.”
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