New Western Sydney midfielder Oliver Bozanic says he was hurt at being frozen out by Central Coast last season and denies his mysterious exit was due to a fallout with Mariners boss Nick Montgomery.
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Bozanic captained the Mariners to their first Australia Cup final appearance in February earlier this year but wasn't seen in the first team after a 0-0 draw with Perth Glory in mid-March.
After the Mariners first claimed Bozanic was out of the side due to illness, Montgomery later said the midfielder didn't have a "divine right" to be picked.
The Mariners then explained Bozanic's continued absence was due to "personal reasons".
The seven-cap Socceroo didn't appear in another game for the Mariners that season, missing their 12 remaining fixtures as they finished in fifth spot in the A-League Men.
There has been speculation that Bozanic, 33, had a clause in his contract that would trigger an extension but the midfielder refused to confirm that was the case.
He did stress, however, that he and Montgomery parted on good terms.
"There was no bust-up between myself and the coach," he told AAP. "That's all I can really say about it.
"It was disappointing not to be involved in the remaining part of the season.
"I really loved my time there and being a local who got to captain the club.
"It was out of my hands and it was a decision by the club.
"I had to move on and continue my career and that's what led me to coming to the Wanderers."
Bozanic is part of a changing of the guard at the Wanderers under coach Mark Rudan, who has sought to add ALM experience to his squad.
Milos Ninkovic, Calum Nieuwenhof (both Sydney FC) Ruon Tongyik (Central Coast), Kusini Yengi (Adelaide) join from rival ALM sides, while goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas and Brandon Borrello return to the competition from Denmark and Germany respectively.
The Wanderers haven't played in the finals since Tony Popovic left the club in 2017, but Bozanic is buoyed by Rudan's enthusiasm to restore Western Sydney to past glories.
"After speaking to him (Rudan) I know what he wants," Bozanic said.
"He's very ambitious and that's why I wanted to be a part of this.
"There's obviously a lot of expectations on the club and the players to perform.
"Having the right mindset, having the right ambitions as a club and keeping the standards very high will put us in a great position."
Australian Associated Press
