2018 NPL Head Coaches locked in
The nine clubs competing in the 2018 Capital Football National Premier Leagues have confirmed their Head Coaches for the new season, with a host of fresh faces set to take their position on the sideline.
One of the biggest surprises of the off-season was at Belconnen United as Grand Final Winning Head Coach Dean Ugrinic stood down after an incredible finish to the season.
Peter Mazis and Marko Perinovic will take over the top role at United after their success with the U/20 NPL Program in 2017, leaving only three of the coaches who began 2017 in their roles still in the frame in 1st grade.
Canberra Olympic’s Frank Cachia, Gungahlin United’s Marcial Munoz and Tigers’ Gaby Wilk will all remain at the helm of their clubs in 2018, looking to steer them to Premier League success.
Woden-Weston have this year promoted Technical Director Rey Castro to the role of Head Coach as well with Tony Olivera not returning to lead the side this year, and Castro will manage both duties throughout the season.
Canberra FC welcome Paul Macor to the 1st Grade coaching position, while former Canberra FC coach Zoran Glavinic will take over 2017’s last-placed Monaro Panthers in the new year.
Changes are in at Tuggeranong too, with former Gungahlin United coach Mitch Stevens taking over the sidelines from Sean Murphy. Murphy came into the role last year after Miro Trninic left the club, and came within inches of taking the club to its first finals berth in years before a final round loss to Monaro.
Finally, the competition’s newest club will ring in a change as well. Gabriel Abdala will take the reins at the Riverina Rhinos in 2018 after serving as Ross Morgan’s assistant for most of 2017, before stepping into the top job for the last few rounds after Morgan stood down.
The Rhinos showed flashes of promise at times but overall struggled in their first season, and Abdala will be keen to make a big impact in a full season.
Fixtures for the 2018 season are set to be released soon.
2018 Capital Football NPL Head Coaches
Belconnen United | Peter Mazis & Marko Perinovic
Canberra FC | Paul Macor
Canberra Olympic | Frank Cachia
Gungahlin United | Marcial Munoz
Monaro Panthers | Zoran Glavinic
Riverina Rhinos | Gabriel Abdala
Tigers FC | Gaby Wilk
Tuggeranong United | Mitch Stevens
Woden-Weston FC | Rey Castro
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