Former Adelaide United striker Michael Matricciani to coach Adelaide City
NEW Adelaide City boss Michael Matricciani knows Damian Mori’s impeccable coaching record will be a hard act to follow but says he is ready for the challenge.
NEW Adelaide City boss Michael Matricciani knows Damian Mori’s impeccable coaching record is a hard act to follow.
Matricciani, 32, was on Tuesday announced as the new City boss.
He won his first senior men’s coaching gig about a month after Mori, 48, ended his 13-year coaching stint at the club where the former Socceroo won two national soccer league titles as a player in the 1990s.
Mori as a City coach won four championships, two premierships, four SA Federation Cups and took the club to eight grand final appearances.
He led City to becoming the first second-tier club to topple a professional A-League outfit, Western Sydney, in the 2014 FFA Cup.
“Damian is someone I have always looked up to as a kid watching him at Adelaide City,’’ Matricciani said.
“Growing up being a striker as well I always looked up to him as a player and then as a coach.
“He’s always had well organised sides and he has been very successful and they were hard to beat, it’s a big challenge for me but I’m ready for it.”
It’s understood City settled on Matricciani from a shortlist that included current Australian NPL champion and SA’s double winning Campbelltown City coach Joe Mullen, Adelaide United NPL boss Paul Pezos and Adelaide United legend Cassio.
Matricciani on Saturday claimed the women’s NPL coach of the year after leading SA’s national training centre under 17s program.
“I have been working full time in coaching for seven years,’’ Matricciani said between a break in lessons at the Australian College of Sport as the football director of coaching.
“I was looking for a new challenge and when the opportunity came up for Adelaide City and listening to the vision and where they want to take it really excited me.
“I’m looking forward to starting with the boys in preseason in mid November.”
history,” Matricciani said.