Since replacing Mike Mulvey in November, Thijssen has overseen a revival at the Roar which has it in the box seat for an A-League finals berth and also in a reasonably good position midway through the group stage of the AFC Champions League.
With Mulvey sacked for allegedly straying from Brisbane's football philosophy, Thijssen's remit was to restore the team's trademark possession-style of football and regenerate the squad by embracing youth players.
While the club has not quite returned to the 'Roarcelona' days, Brisbane's swagger has reappeared in patches while the rise of exciting teenage pair Brandon Borrello and Devante Clut has it well placed for the future.
Stead, the self-proclaimed "guardian" of the Roar's footballing doctrine who played a key role in Mulvey's removal, said Thijssen has done a "very good job".
"I think there's been a big turnaround with the first team," Stead said. "Obviously he's got a vast amount of experience and amongst that, he's a very humble bloke as well.
"There's a good buzz around the club just now and it's a case of everybody putting in.
"We know we're not where we want to be yet. (But) the signs are positive, we're edging in the right direction."
However, Stead would not be drawn in on discussing whether Thijssen could be appointed the club's permanent head coach.
Upon Thijssen's arrival, the club's original intention was that the Dutchman would only fill the role for the rest of the season and then become the Roar's new technical director, at which point a new coach would be appointed.
But Thijssen's success has meant his stint - his first at senior level since he helmed Dutch second-tier side Fortuna Sittard in 2001 - has transformed into an ongoing audition for the top job.
Reports claim the Roar has already approached Olyroos coach and former Adelaide United boss Aurelio Vidmar, who turned the post down, but Stead dismissed those links as "speculation".
"There's a lot of things in the whole strategy of the club always going on at a football club," he said.
"We're not in any great hurry.
"There'll be a time and a place to disclose that. To talk about any of these roles would be highly inappropriate.
"We're chasing an Asian Champions League and to have a good finish to the A-League season, the last thing we need is distractions."
