Check out who is every NPL Victoria club’s coach for 2024

They’re the men who call the shots at some of the biggest football clubs in Australia. Check out all the new and returning NPL Victoria coaches for 2024.

All NPL Victoria coaches confirmed.

The coach, the manager, the gaffer.

They’re the men who call the shots at some of the biggest football clubs in Australia.

There’s been a host of changes since the NPL Victoria season finished with Avondale’s stunning grand final win over South Melbourne.

In all there will be 12 new coaches on the sidelines in 2024.

Five of those are in the top flight, including finalists Melbourne Knights and Port Melbourne Sharks.

Check out all the new and returning coaches below.

NPL VICTORIA

NEW FACES

John Anastiadis (Heidelberg United)

Started out as a player at United before moving to Greek power PAOK and is a two-time NSL champion with South Melbourne. Coached NPL rivals South Melbourne, Oakleigh Cannons and Bentleigh Greens, winning premierships at Hellas and the Greens, before securing an assistant coaching role at Western United. Was part of United’s historic A-League premiership triumph in 2022.

Ben Surey (Melbourne Knights)

The Englishman spent nine years as a player at Somers Street and has remained with the club as a coach since. Started out taking care of the under-20s and has had two stints as caretaker coach in 2017 and 2022. Finally gets the top job full-time after serving as assistant under Ben Cahn this season, helping the Knights to a preliminary final and Australia Cup semi-final.

Nick Marinos (Port Melbourne)

Having led the Sharks’ under-21 to a grand final appearance this season, Marinos steps up to the top job in 2024. He has also managed Greek club Zakynthos. Played for Greek club Panachaiki before returning to Melbourne Knights in the NSL and has also spent time at Oakleigh Cannons and Heidelberg United.

Sam Elmazi (Dandenong Thunder)

Returns to George Andrews Reserve for a third stint after previously coaching the Thunder in 2001 and 2020-21.

Goran Lozanovski (Altona Magic)

The eight-capped Socceroo returns to Paisley Park to replace Scott Miller, who had to withdraw due to a change in personal circumstances. Lozanovski was at the helm for two of the Magic’s three-peat championships, winning the State League 1 title in 2017 and NPL flag in 2018, earning promotion back to the top-flight.

𝘾𝙇𝙐𝘽 𝘾𝙊𝘼𝘾𝙃𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙊𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏

The club is extremely excited to announce the appointment of Scott Miller as Head Coach for 2024.#AltonaMagic#Vardar #2024 pic.twitter.com/10CYEU605j

— Altona Magic SC (@AltonaMagicSC) October 27, 2023

RE-APPOINTED

Stephen Downes (Green Gully)

Zoran Markovski (Avondale)

Esteban Quintas (South Melbourne)

Chris Taylor (Oakleigh Cannons)

Cameron Watson (Hume City)

David Ostojic (Moreland City)

Nick Tolios (Dandenong City)

George Karkaletsis (Manningham United)

Ryan McGuffie (St Albans)

VPL1

NEW FACES

Joey Didulica (North Geelong)

Takes the reins at his junior club after a storied playing career that included stops at Ajax, Austria Vienna and AZ Alkmaar and four international caps for Croatia. Didulica will be looking to inspire the Warriors to an immediate bounce back after relegation this season.

David Chick (Bentleigh Greens)

The Englishman moves from Dandenong Thunder to Bentleigh Greens. It’s arguably one of the most sought-after but also high-pressure jobs available after the NPL powerhouse suffered a shock relegation this season. All eyes will be on the club as it looks to bounce back immediately.

Jamie Skelly (Langwarrin)

After serving as Scott Miller’s assistant since 2019, Skelly takes the reins full-time in 2024. The new coach has previous experience at Peninsula Strikers, Noble Park and Casey Comets. The Lions are confident the smooth transition will keep the club heading in the right direction.

CO-COACHES

Zeljko Kuzman & Steve Bebic (Northcote City)

Emcumbent Kuzman combines forces with Steve Bebic at John Cain Reserve in 2024. Kuzman led City to the Australia Cup Round of 32 this season, while Bebic returns having previous served as assistant in the club’s 2017 NPL2 championship-winning season. The new addition comes with top-flight experience having coached Melbourne Knights in 2022.

RE-APPOINTED

Diogo Ferreira (Western United)

Peter Tsolakis & Con Tangalakis (Kingston City)

Chris Greechan (Eastern Lions)

Giuliano Febbrarino (Bulleen Lions)

Domenic Barba (Werribee City)

Joe Palatsides (Melbourne Victory)

Eric Vassiliadis (Caroline Springs George Cross)

Nick Kyriopoulos (Brunswick City)

TBC: Preston Lions, Melbourne City

VPL2

NEW FACES

Oliver Stankovski (Brunswick Juventus)

Stankovski crosses from fellow relegated club Pascoe Vale where he served as assistant for two seasons. Previously had great success with the Rams underage teams, coaching the under-18s to an undefeated championship and second place in under-20s and under-21s.

Nick Kalmar (Doveton)

The former Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers star picks up his first senior coaching role at Doveton. As a player he won back-to-back NPL championships with Altona Magic. Moved into coaching with Dandenong City and helped the club win the NPL2 championship as an assistant to Nick Tolios.

Shane Rexhepi (Pascoe Vale)

A star of Victorian football, Rexhepi takes the reins at Hosken Reserve for his first senior coaching job. He previously served as an assistant at NPL club Hume City for two years after a decorated playing career that included a key role in Dandenong Thunder’s treble-winning season in 2012.

RE-APPOINTED

Ben Isai (North Sunshine Eagles)

Craig Carley (GV Suns)

Steve Voursoukis (Nunawading City)

Manny Koutroulis (Boroondara-Carey Eagles)

Tony Merakis (Box Hill United)

David Gibson (Beaumaris)

Mick Ferrante (Essendon Royals)

Michael Calandrella (Altona City)

Zeljko Popovic (Melbourne Srbija)