The last ‘CT’ to be in charge at South Melbourne FC enjoyed a long and successful reign. The latest CT to gain ascension ‘to the throne’ as he calls it, is Con Tangalakis, and by a stroke of irony the two CTs have now effectively swapped chairs with former South boss Chris Taylor currently in charge of Oakleigh Cannons, the club where Tangalakis, together with Peter Tsolakis, were joint coaches in the first part of the season.

It’s an unexpected and sudden step up for Tangalakis who was appointed as the interim senior coach earlier this week, just three weeks after joining as previous coach Sasa Kolman’s assistant. “I found out yesterday that Sasa has decided to move on,” he told Neos Kosmos following his appointment.

“He’s a SMFC favourite. He loves the squad. He’s done well there for five years. He had a lot of injuries and suspensions and didn’t have the luxury of having a full squad at any one time this season. As a person and as a coach, I rate Sasa. I think he’s one of the most technically minded coaches I’ve ever worked with. But unfortunately SMFC haven’t been getting the results. The pressure around the club has been quite intense and quite high. So all of a sudden, I’ve taken over the throne and I’ve got a massive, massive task in front of me.”

Helping him will be assistant coaches Santiago Escudero and Kosta Caimakamis. Tangalakis says the senior team’s results don’t reflect the professionalism around the club.

“It’s a professionally run outfit with amazing facilities. I’ve got a lot I can work with. It’s not like I’ve inherited a team that’s lacking in a lot of avenues or a lot of departments. I believe they are one of the best teams on paper. It’s just getting the best out of them. And for whatever the reasons are, this is something I have to identify,” he said.

“It’s not about worrying about making finals or where we’re going to end up. It’s week by week, and getting the result each week.”

On the subject of whether the senior coaching position at Lakeside requires someone with greater senior experience, Tangalakis responds, “I’m not going to argue if I’m qualified or not qualified. I’ve proven at Oakleigh where Gus [Tsolakis] and I inherited a mess and turned it around. I understand experience has a lot to do with it, but I also understand that a healthy change room is very important in any league, in any category. So I’m up for the challenge and I’m hoping we can get the results and turn it around.”

South will be hoping Tangalakis’ management skills, and ability to develop a united dressing room and positive team culture will pay quick dividends. His rescue mission begins this weekend when South meets another club struggling to climb away from the wrong end of the table, Northcote City.