Former Gold Coast United boss Troy Bingham to take indefinite break from football administration

A RESPECTED Gold Coast football figure will take an indefinite break from administration following his shock resignation from a local club.

TROY Bingham will take an indefinite break from football administration following his shock resignation as Gold Coast United chief executive.

In his third stint as a football administrator on the Coast, the 49-year-old left United this month in the wake of Sean Lane’s departure as men’s NPL coach.

The Bulletin understands Bingham chose to stand down following the board’s decision not to retain Lane next season.

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Lane had steered the Brisbane Strikers to the 2017 NPL premiership but was let go because he did not see eye-to-eye with United technical director Craig Midgley.

An announcement on Lane’s replacement is expected later this week, with former A-League defender Kristian Rees believed to be up for the job.

Meanwhile, new United goalkeeping coach Fernando Vaz Alves will waste no time making his mark as the club turns its attention to October’s NPL and SAP trials.

Troy Bingham with Bond University head of sport Garry Nucifora. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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After stints with the Australian under-20s, Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix, Vaz Alves, who recently settled on the Coast, was last week handed a role with United for 2019.

His first task is to help the club in their looming trial process, casting his eye over the next generation of ‘keepers.

“In the first few weeks I’ll be assessing the quality we have available and getting an understanding of the football philosophy at the club,” he said.

“It’s a combination of not just me but the whole set up of the club, including parents and players, that makes a difference and I need to understand that if I’m expecting to help.

New Gold Coast United goalkeeping coach Fernando Vaz Alves.

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“I bring a wealth of knowledge in goalkeeping from the years I’ve been doing the job. I’m very, very fussy and stringent when it comes to technique. I’m a great believer that good technique brings good decisions, good decisions bring good saves and clean sheets and a winning mentality.”

Midgley said plans were also in place for Vaz Alves to link and work with grassroots clubs in the region.

“All of our goalkeepers at Gold Coast United will have one of the most experienced and qualified coaches in Australia working with them. He’s worked with some of the best keepers in the country and we are very excited to have him on board,” Midgley said.

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“Not only will our Gold Coast United goalkeepers get the benefit of working with Fernando but all our affiliate clubs will be able to access his programs moving forward.”