Former Melbourne City Youth coach Joe Palatsides’ football journey is set to continue, taking him to South-East Asia. It was revealed the Greek Australian is set to be announced as the new Technical Director of the Football Association of Singapore.
The former South Melbourne and Heidelberg United player, ended his almost 10 year association with Melbourne City Youth when he resigned in March this year.
During his tenure, the 53-year-old helped transform the fledgling youth set up at Melbourne Heart into the successful nursery that has developed many players who have gone on to play in the A-league, and represented Australia at national level.
In Singapore, his brief will be to help make the island nation state’s national teams more competitive.
As well as his playing and coaching experience, Palatsides also served as the inaugural executive of the Australian Professional Footballers Association (PFA) in the early 90’s, alongside current PFA CEO Joe Didulica.
Didulica commented on Palatsides’ newest appointment.
“In my capacity as the PFA CEO, it’s great to see inaugural alumni take on such an important position,” he said.
“It’s a great reward for Joe to be given this opportunity. Nobody works harder, nobody is more invested in their players.
“The work that he’s done in the Heart days and the City days, he’s always given as much energy and time to his players as possible.
“I’ve no doubt that with the journey he’s been on – as an elite player here and abroad having coached in Europe, having coached here in Australia and Asia, to have access to the IP from the City Football Group – that he’s got all the qualities and knowledge that’s needed in a place like Singapore.”
