There’s a sense of déjà vu at relegated NPL club Northcote City. City are once more on the hunt for a new head coach following the departure of coach Goran Lozanovski for the second time at the end two consecutive seasons.
After stepping down at the end of season 2015, when City had failed to make the finals, the 2013 Championship winning coach surprised many by taking on the assistant coaching role at Port Melbourne.
Following Northcote’s disastrous start to the 2016 campaign, Lozanovski answered an SOS from his former club to return as head coach in a bid to salvage the season. With a host of new signings, the club fought tooth and nail to avoid relegation right to the very end of the season but it proved a bridge too far.
When Lozanovski returned to the club in Rd 9 this season, he gave a strong indication that his return was “a long term deal. I’ll be there to do that. We’ve spoken about it. We’ve got a long term plan.” So it comes as some surprise that the club has announced his departure.
In a statement on the club website, Lozanovski said, “It’s no secret that I love Northcote and it’s with an extremely heavy heart that I have to walk away. We made some huge improvements in a short time this season and I’m convinced that the club is on the right track. I wish everyone the best and I have no doubt that we’ll see Northcote back where it belongs very soon.”
No doubt the club will be looking for another experienced coach to take on the challenging task of winning promotion back into the NPL 1 in 2017.
Meanwhile, in other NPL news, Northcote’s near neighbours, Heidelberg United have moved quickly to secure the services of key personnel who made their mark at the club in season 2016. The club announced that five of its key players have signed up again for the 2017 campaign, including forwards Kenny Athiu, Sean Ellis, midfielders Harry Noon, Lewis Hall and Reuben Way.