Mielekamp hired Stajcic back in 2019 to help rebuild the Mariners, who were languishing at the foot of the ladder, after a number of years in the wilderness.
Stajcic took the Mariners to third spot in his second full season in charge, and brought in a number of players into the first team squad and developed a system that saw them go on to win back-to-back Championships in 2022-23 and 2023-24, and an AFC Cup, albeit under different coaches. Stajcic was widely credited with setting up a culture and an environment that saw the Mariners gain so much success.
“We struggled for a number of years, and when we made a decision with Staj we knew it was for a long term haul, and we stuck by it and it paid off in the end,” said Mielekamp, who was the CEO in Gosford for nine years.
“He was a key coach when our fortunes changed.
We went through a long period of doubt and struggle, but bit-by-bit he put it altogether. By the time he left the Club we were successful again.”
Mielekamp was the Commercial Manager at the Wanderers throughout their successful early period, where they became the first A-League Club to win the Asian Champions League in 2014, clinched the Premiers Plate in their maiden season in 2012-13, and made three A-League Men’s Grand Finals in four years.
Mielekamp believes Stajcic has what it takes to bring back this level of success to the Wanderers, and sighted the Former Matilda coach’s ability to galvanise an entire club through his fierce determination.
“There is no doubt his tenacity and toughness is a big part of it. He definitely understands the entire system. It’s not just about the first team,” explains Mielekamp. “It was Naz (assistant Nahuel Arrarte) as well, who was a key part of his plans as well. This involves recruitment, the way the academy is structured, style of play and the way the players are developed.
“It is a big job and Staj knows what he wants to create and what he wants to deliver. It’s important that everyone persists and maintains the faith.
“One thing about Staj is he will take the entire club in the same direction, he will face every battle internally, whether it’s on-field or off-field, and he will make sure everyone is moving in the same direction, and when that happens everyone has a chance.”
Mielekamp’s sentiments appear to mirror the views of the Wanderers’ hierarchy, who have reportedly given Stajcic control of the club’s entire football department from the senior team through to their academy.
Mielekamp applauded this decision, insisting that personal agendas need to be put aside for the greater good.
“There are so many egos in football and sometimes people can’t see what is needed,” he said. “There are so many layers and agendas.
“The League is run by guys who put in money, which isn’t a great structure, because when they put in money they often have their own agenda or own emotions which affects their decision making.
“This is why I am really wanting Staj and the Wanderers to get through this and be successful because you can see what the Wanderers board have done here, they have put all that personal stuff aside and said we are going to back him appropriately and for the long term.”
Stajcic has made some major changes internally, and has undoubtedly ruffled some feathers, but the general feeling within the club is that things are well and truly on the up, despite immediate results not going to plan. The vibe among youth players and their families has been very positive since Stajcic took charge, and this mood appears to have filtered through to the senior players at the Club in both the Men’s and Women’s programs.
In his first season in 2024-25, Stajcic took the Wanderers to fourth with the most goals (58) in the League, breaking a Club record for any A-League season in the process.
While the 2025-26 campaign has gotten off to a scratchy start, to be fair the Wanderers have had a tough draw with games against reigning Champions Melbourne City and away games against Premiers Plate Winners Auckland FC, Macarthur and Adelaide United.
The loss of star players in Nick Milanovic, Zac Sapsford and Marcus Antonnson as well as injuries to Dylan Scicluna and Brandon Borrello hasn’t helped the cause, but the Wanderers have still looked threatening in front of goal, but tellingly have only had 12 out of 52 shots on target.
Mielekamp acknowledged the challenges faced with losing so many key players, but admitted it is an issue faced by all clubs in Australia.
“To be honest this is where the A-League is different, it’s not like any other League in the world,” he said. “It’s a particular League where you need to set up a system and a process where players can come and leave and for you to maintain that consistency. It is very difficult. Every club has faced that, but you can’t make knee jerk decisions.
“The only way to address this is for the entire club to back each other and keep moving in the same direction, despite any changes that occur.”
Mielekamp encouraged the Red & Black faithful to continue to stay loyal, believing success will come if they stay in it for the long haul. The Wanderers still maintain a relatively healthy membership base, and have some of the loudest and most passionate fans in the A-League. The Club has only made two finals’ series since 2015-2016, and have gone through seven coaches in that time.
“I know it’s tough but there is only one way to make long term change and that is to stick to a long term plan,” he said. “That is really my message to the Wanderers’ fans, who I know have already been incredibly patient for so long. I’m an ex Wanderer and I love the Club and I was there when the Club was successful and I know what it looks like for the Club to be successful.
“There are some amazing people at the Club and some amazing fans, the best fans in the world really. It’s just so important that they keep staying strong, there is no way to hide from this, they will eventually be rewarded I am sure.”
The Wanderers co-incidentally take on the Mariners next Saturday afternoon at CommBank Stadium in what shapes as a crucial match up for Stajcic and his team, with a home Sydney derby to follow the week after.
