Less than two weeks before the A-League pre-season competition commences, Perth Glory has been forced to defend firebrand coach Steve McMahon in the wake of a player revolt.
A number of senior Glory players are understood to have requested a meeting with technical director Mich d'Avray to discuss McMahon's coaching style.
As a result the club has released a statement insisting McMahon's position is secure.
"I would like to make it quite clear that Steve McMahon's position at Perth Glory is not under threat in any way," chief executive Jeff Dennis said.
"He has the respect and support of everyone at the club and we have confidence that his leadership will make us very competitive in the coming season."
Since his appointment in February, McMahon has quickly adopted the uncompromising style for which he was known as a player with Liverpool and England.
He labelled Australian football 'shambolic' on his first day in Perth and has since subjected the Glory squad to some gruelling training sessions in preparation for the A-League.
McMahon came under fire from some supporters after blasting his team's effort in the Club World Championship qualifier against eventual winner Sydney FC back in May.
Perth lost 2-1 at home in its first outing together against a club that had already beaten Queensland earlier in the competition and enjoyed a tour of Dubai.
But McMahon came out swinging, calling his players 'frightened'.
"I can accept getting beat, but there's a way to get beat," McMahon vented.
"There's a certain code of football and a certain way to play and get beat. That wasn't the way."
Prior to the clash with Sydney, Glory stalwart Bobby Despotovski joked that he hoped the club would win and progress through the tournament to avoid more weeks on the training track with McMahon.
Perth has been virtually dormant since that loss, apart from games against State League opposition.
Glory plays its first A-League pre-season match against Adelaide United on July 22, while the season proper commences on August 26.
McMahon on Saturday returned from England where he has been negotiating with Sunderland striker Brian Deane.
Glory captain Jamie Harnwell has dismissed the speculation over the new coach.
"As a squad of players we are fully behind our head coach, Steve McMahon, and will be working hard together to ensure that Perth Glory is as successful as possible," Harnwell said.
"Steve McMahon has our unreserved backing as coach and we will be working hard for him on the pitch to achieve the results we all want."
McMahon coached Swindon Town and Blackpool in the UK before getting the Glory job and had high hopes when he first arrived.
"It's not just a football move, it's a life move, a career move," he said in February.
"I'm not taking it lightly."
McMahon, who played with England in the 1990 World Cup, added it wasn't his style to walk away from a challenge.
"I've been at two clubs, player-manager at Swindon for four and a half years and I had opportunities to leave and I didn't," he said.
"I went to Blackpool for over four years."
"I'm not one who takes on the job and walks out." 
"Unless I get sacked of course."
