Stephen Peters will return as Perth Glory’s A-League Women’s coach after penning a fresh two-year extension off the back of narrowly missing out on a drought-breaking finals berth last season.

But with two of his most important players having headed off to Europe to further their careers, Peters will face a battle to end their seven-year absence from the finals.

Peters joined the club from NPL NSW Women’s champions Macarthur Rams after back to back championships in 2022 and 2023.

He boasts a 38.4 per cent win percentage over his two years with Glory, as Perth have finished 10th and eighth under him, missing the finals by four points last year.

With the club unlikely to be satisfied with another finals miss this year, Peters said the top six was the goal.

“To be given be given the task of coaching this club in the first instance was a huge honour and to then be going into a third season in charge fills me with immense pride,” he said in a statement.

“For the club to see the progression of the team and put the faith in me to continue to carry this team forward is something I don’t take lightly and I want to repay that faith with a top-six finish.

“It’s what the club, the members and fans deserve.”

But Perth have two huge holes to fill following the departure of reigning Most Glorious Player Tijan McKenna to Norway’s Valerenga IF (where former Glory star Hana Lowry also plays) and full-back Grace Johnston to Women’s Super League outfit Charlton Athletic.

The West Australian understands the bulk of last season’s squad is expected to return, headlined by captain Isobel Dalton and centre-back Onyinyechi Zogg.

Perth had previously announced the departures of Naomi Chinnama, Gabby Hollar, Sarah O’Donoghue, Natalie Tathem, Tanika Lala and Ischia Brooking.

Director of Football Stan Lazaridis is confident Peters can guide could squad into finals.

“We’ve seen a strong level of progress since Stephen was appointed in 2024,” he said, “and we look forward to seeing that continue over the next two years.

“Our playing group continues to develop and improve under his leadership and having come so close last year, the target now is to go that step further and secure finals football.”