Perth fires coach Edwards after player revolt

Published Dec. 17, 2013 6:05 a.m. ET

foxsports

A-League club Perth Glory has fired coach Alistair Edwards after a player revolt over perceived nepotism and management style.

Edwards, 45, was in the first season of a three-year contract, but his position became untenable following a rift with Perth captain Jacob Burns and other senior players.

Experienced midfielder Burns has been relegated to the bench in recent matches and replaced by Edwards' 20-year-old son Ryan, who was signed in the offseason along with his brother Cameron, 21. Burns openly criticized the moved after Perth's 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory on Friday.

Alistair Edwards represented Australia in 19 matches as a forward and played in several Australian and Asian teams during a lengthy professional career, along with four matches with English club Millwall in the mid-1990s.