It's a steamy morning in Thailand’s non-stop capital, Bangkok. The ubiquitous, spluttering sound of the tuk-tuk fills the air while every other human sense is served by a concoction of activity. I am off to meet Phil Stubbins, one of the brains behind Adelaide United’s impressive 2008 AFC Champions League (ACL) campaign – the best ever by an Australian side in Asia’s premier club competition.

With Hyundai A-League teams having largely struggled in the ACL since Adelaide’s historic final-making run of 2008, it is perhaps easy to assume that the men from Hindmarsh Stadium simply got lucky in just their second continental campaign. That is until you see Stubbins’ immensely detailed dossier not only covering the Adelaide squad and every training session, but also their Asian adversaries.

We’re in Lat Phrao – a suburb of greater Bangkok where Stubbins resides on a quiet, leafy Soi. When asked about that ACL campaign Stubbins quickly departs, with the former Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) mentor returning moments later with a thick, heavy document containing every football analytic imaginable. The publication is written testament not only of the success of the Reds, but the work he has put in to ensure his own career has flourished. The attention to detail is impressive and you quickly realise Stubbins’ drive and determination as a coach.

“We certainly delved into the analytical side of things,” Stubbins says of his partnership with Aurelio Vidmar at Adelaide. “When you’re coming up against teams with far superior budgets and with greater playing staff – with all respect to ourselves – sometimes you need to change your approach.

"A tremendous amount of analysis went into it, implementing specific training drills to overcome some very strong Asian teams. The players deserve so much credit, they worked their socks off for the cause. Getting to the final was a very proud achievement for us all but it wasn’t a fluke, we all worked tirelessly to get there. It was a great journey with Adelaide in that Champions League and one that we’ll never forget."

Although Adelaide was dominated by Japanese giant Gamba Osaka in the Final, securing a place in the Champions League’s showpiece was enough to earn the Reds a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup held in the land of the rising sun later that year. Aside from the marble floored, palatial suites afforded to each side by FIFA, Stubbins says the reality of Adelaide’s achievements hit home when a certain German great went out of his way to congratulate he and Vidmar.

“I remember sitting in the dignitaries box with Aurelio watching one of the games, when Franz Beckenbauer came and shook our hands, saying ‘well done’,” Stubbins says. “It was a moment to savour, that’s for sure. But the tournament itself was a different class. Knowing Manchester United are training on the same pitch as you is a nice feeling.”

The glitz and grandeur of a FIFA Club World Cup in Tokyo is a long way from some of Victoria’s quaint, suburban stadiums, but every journey to the top must start somewhere. Indeed, Stubbins reflects fondly on his time in the VPL, understanding that it paved the platform for his coaching career in Australia to prosper. It was a league in which he enjoyed tremendous success.

After being named VPL Coach of the Year while at Heidelberg in 2005, Stubbins switched to Richmond SC the following season. With his reputation as one of Australia’s best coaches outside the Hyundai A-League growing, Stubbins was lured to the City of Churches for the commencement of the 2007/08 campaign. He spent four years with the Reds, with his relationship with current Socceroos assistant Vidmar proving fruitful. Unfortunately, Stubbins and Dutchman Rini Coolen - who joined Adelaide in 2010 - never found common ground.

“Aurelio and Rini are two different people,” he says. “’Viddy’ (Vidmar) and I had our challenges, but I think we could say anything to each other that was for the benefit of the team. We really forged a good relationship and a genuine understanding of each other as time went on. I’m proud to have had that time with Viddy and those successes that we had at the club.”

“Rini was a different character all together. I suppose the best way to sum up our relationship would be for me to say that we were simply different. Although, I enjoyed my work with the group and did a lot of coaching that year, it’s probably safe to say it wasn’t my favourite year in football.”

Despite his difficult final season at Hindmarsh, Stubbins says he wouldn’t swap the memorable campaigns he enjoyed in South Australia.

“I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to go and work with Adelaide. The supporters were fantastic to me and I’ve met some great friends in Adelaide. And I couldn’t speak highly enough of the club, it’s a real football club and I was privileged to be there for the period of time that I was.”

Having dissected Stubbins’ time with Adelaide in Lat Phrao, we venture into the city centre to Siam Square. Our conversation evolves, with Stubbins elaborating on what influenced his move to the Thai Premier League. A growing number of Australian players and coaches view South East Asia as an option to work and live, and for Stubbins the move was all about opportunity.

When we met, Stubbins was Head of Police’s Academy structure. Today, he begins his new role as Head Coach of Bangkok Glass – the men from the impressive 10,000 capacity Leo Stadium.
“I was coming to the end of my time at the AIS and there weren’t many opportunities going around in the A-League,” he says. “Luckily enough and fortunately for myself, a job opportunity arose with Police United.”

Stubbins was asked to take the task of Technical Director at Police after seven rounds of the competition. When he swapped from acting Head Coach, the side was sitting comfortably in sixth position in the TPL. Since then ‘the Silver Shields’ have struggled.

“It’s been a little frustrating not having a continued hands on role with the first team,” Stubbins says. “But it’s also been very rewarding in trying to instil a curriculum into the club, and it’s certainly been something different for myself to experience.”

With his wife and family having remained in Australia and Stubbins only able to see them in the flesh once every couple of months, one can assume the isolation he may feel in Bangkok. But with a keenness to pass his time immersing himself in football study and analysis, Stubbins says he is yet to feel lonesome in Thailand. Nevertheless, changing the engrained processes and practices at Police, as well as the mentalities and standards of his staff was a challenge. 

“The challenges are quite significant,” he says. “In Australia we’re used to certain aspects of professionalism, certain standards and logical processes. They have the talent, that’s for sure. Everything just needs fostering in the correct way.

“Some of the players are fantastically gifted. We all know how Thomas Broich and Marcos Flores have had a tremendous impact on the A-League in Australia. I think Thailand offers those types of players too. Certainly, on a technical front they are up there with the likes of the two players I’ve just mentioned."

With his desire to manage a first team never having left him, Stubbins today commences his new role with Bangkok Glass with whom he has been appointed Head Coach for the remainder of this season and next. It’s another fresh opportunity and should ‘the Glass Rabbits’, who have extensive commercial links worldwide achieve under his stewardship, Stubbins has an option remain at the club beyond an initial season and six games.

Stubbins takes the reigns of Bangkok Glass at a time when the team – despite sitting sixth in the league – have won just once in their past 10 games. In a congested mid-table, they are 13 points above the drop zone, and 30 points away from first place. 

“It’s a big job but one I am looking forward to,” he texts from Thailand this morning. 

Stubbins acknowledges a period proving his ability in the hot seat at Bangkok Glass may ultimately help pave the way for a return to Australia’s top flight.

“Returning home to coach in the A-League would obviously be a fantastic honour,” he says. “I’d love to be back involved. Whoever was to place their confidence in myself would receive a coal-face investment from someone trying to make the most significant contribution possible. However, firstly you need to be given that chance.”