SUNS MAKE ZOIS CHOICE

DAMEN FRANCIS

May 8 2014

Shepparton News

Former Melbourne Heart goalkeeper coach Peter Zois has been appointed senior coach of Goulburn Valley Suns.

The move comes less than a week after the National Premier Leagues club announced high-profile coach Melvyn Wilkes would be replaced to focus on the technical director role.

Naum Sekulovski was immediately appointed coach in a caretaker capacity.

The former A-League defender was unavailable for last Sunday’s game and in his absence experienced Suns player Frankie Lagana and under-20 coach Serkan Aktas guided the team to its maiden win away to Werribee City.

They remain at the foot of the table, with one win from seven matches.

Suns chairman Geoff Dobson said the club had been in discussions with Zois in the past week and moved quickly to secure him as coach.

Zois took training at Howley Oval, Tatura on Tuesday night, where he met the playing group.

‘‘We’ve been working tirelessly over the last few days to source a suitable replacement for Melvyn Wilkes, who has retained his position of technical director, but has stood aside from the head coaching position,’’ Dobson said.

‘‘Peter comes highly recommended from numerous Victorian Premier League players and coaches and he’s got many contacts within the NPL.

‘‘He has already met the players and it appears everyone was rapt to have a person of Peter’s calibre in our midst.’’

Zois, 36, represented Australia at youth level and spent a decade in Europe at various clubs, before returning to Australia in 2008.

In 2010 he was appointed goalkeeper coach at the Heart — a role he had until the middle of last year — and also served as the A-League club’s back-up goalkeeper, but never made an appearance.

Zois and Lagana played together in 2011, as Oakleigh Cannons reached the VPL grand final.

In June, 2012, Zois took over as coach of Oakleigh Cannons and guided the club back to the VPL grand final, which the Cannons lost for the second straight year.

Zois stepped down at the end of the season.

As well as Lagana, Zois may be acquainted with Suns players Stipo Andrijasevic, Hernan Espindola and Kristian Sarkies, who have spent time at the Heart in recent years.

Zois will also be a huge asset for the region’s goalkeepers, with the likes of Jake Keating and Monty Alghazaly, as well as senior shot stopper Phil Petrovski set to benefit from his specialised expertise.

The Suns are understood to be training three times a week — twice in Shepparton and once in Melbourne — under Zois.

Dobson said the Suns’ senior committee would handle the transition of Zois to senior coach and he did not foresee any further changes to the coaching staff for the rest of the season.

‘‘With one win on the board it has given the club renewed vigour, but the most pleasing aspect of Goulburn Valley Suns at the moment is the success of a number of our teams in junior grades,’’ he said.

‘‘The Suns will continue to develop the junior ranks and work with GNEFA-based teams to supply the best outcomes for our best soccer players.’’