Brisbane Roar caretaker Ruben Zadkovich wants to be the full-time coach of the A-League Men club, despite falling short of finals during his interim stint.
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Brisbane cannot make the play-offs - they are six points behind sixth-placed Melbourne City with one game to go - but fought out a gutsy 0-0 draw at Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
That came a day after the club's CEO Kaz Patafta confirmed coach Ben Cahn, who took indefinite sick leave in February, had resigned.
Patafta said Brisbane would soon "be able to make some definitive announcements about the leadership of the men's team".
Former Perth Glory coach Zadkovich - the Roar's fourth coach this season - has been interim boss for the past 11 games, recording three wins, four draws and four losses.
Asked after the Victory draw if he would like the job on a permanent basis, Zadkovich said, "Of course".
He stressed he didn't want to "sit here and talk about myself" but was happy to discuss what he'd attempted to achieve with the Roar.
"I've tried to give the playing group a real clear identity and a DNA that I believe can take Brisbane forward over a longer period," he said.
"That is to be in control of the ball and in control of the game. And that's the biggest positive from tonight.
"It would have been nice to win. It would be nice to still be in finals contention.
"That's certainly what the players have been aiming towards. But we've fallen short, unfortunately."
The Roar will carefully manage boom youngster Thomas Waddingham through the tail end of the season as the striker attracts interest from overseas clubs.
Waddingham, who was on a scholarship contract this season, came off the bench against Victory after a back issue during the week.
Zadkovich confirmed the 19-year-old, who has scored six ALM goals and found the net four times in the Australia Cup this season, is contracted for the next campaign.
"We've had a lot of conversations and a lot of talks about clubs potentially looking to buy Tommy," he said.
"We don't make players like Tommy Waddingham anymore. He's that old-school proper No.9.
"He's got so many areas he can improve and grow. He's a massive asset to the club.
"There's been interest everywhere, to be honest.
"There's been interest within Australia, there's been interest through Asia, but there's been some big interest through Europe, which is great.
"We know we've got a fantastic young player. And we'll keep working on developing him and bringing him to the top of the pile."
The Roar finish their season against Adelaide United at home on Friday.
Australian Associated Press
