Goran Lozanovski returns to Altona Magic after late coaching change

When Scott Miller pulled out of coaching Altona Magic, club great Goran Lozanovski had no hesitation in returning to Paisley Park to pick up the reins.

Goran Lozanovski returns to Altona Magic.

Scott Miller pulled out of coaching Altona Magic four days after he was announced.

Where does a club turn to for a NPL-calibre coach at such short notice? A club great.

Goran Lozanovski answered the call and returns to Paisley Park for the 2024 NPL Victoria season.

He picks up the reins of the club he guided to the State League 1 North-West championship in 2017 before going back-to-back, winning the NPL2 West championship in 2018 to return Magic to the top flight.

A nine-time Socceroo, two-time NSL championship winner, premiership winner and Joe Marston Medallist as a player, he has also delivered silverware at Preston Lions and Northcote City as a coach.

Goran Lozanovski won two NSL championships with South Melbourne.

“It’s exciting, Altona Magic is my club,” Lozanovski said.

“I was there as a junior and obviously took over (as coach) in 2017 and got them promoted a couple of levels, so I’ve had some good times at the football club and excited to be back on board.”

Miller, the former Newcastle Jets coach, was originally intended to replace John Markovski.

However, he was forced to depart due to “rapidly changing personal circumstances” with the club stating “whilst the club is disappointed to not have Scott on board for 2024, we fully appreciate and support the difficult decision he had to make”.

The following day, Lozanovski’s return was confirmed.

“I got a call on the same day I think after Scott decided to move on,” he said.

“There’s a soft spot for me, the club is close to my heart, and it’s a job for me as well back in the NPL system.

“I left in 2020 and it’s been three years in the wilderness, coaching in the lower leagues, and as a coach you aspire to coach at the highest level so it was a call I couldn’t say no to.”

Jonas Markovski earnt a Brisbane Roar contract.

Lozanovski returns after leading Sydenham Park to a runners-up finish in State League 1 North-West this season.

He also coached Westgate FC for two seasons.

Altona enjoyed a successful 2023 season, finishing sixth but going down in an elimination final.

Star striker Jonas Markovski won the NPL Golden Boot and NPL Players’ Player to earn an A-League contract with Brisbane Roar.

However, he and several other players have departed since the end of the season.

Lozanovski said the club will look to rebuild its list for 2024.

“They had a quite successful season and probably over achieved but the sad reality is it’s going to be a bit of a rebuild because a lot of players moved on when the coach did,” he said.

“We’ll probably have to start all over again, we’re probably not a great position, but it’s an exciting opportunity for players on the market to showcase themselves at the top level.

“Sometimes it’s a daunting task and sometimes coaches shy away from it.

“I’m not afraid to do it, and it’s going to be a challenging task but I’m confident we’ll recruit in the right areas, get the right type of players and have a successful season.

CASH: VICTORIAN FOOTBALL CLUBS IN $2m DEBT

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL SPORT NEWS HERE

NPL: HOW CHICK PLANS TO BUILD FALLEN NPL GIANT

“Expectations at every club is to try and make finals, which the club did this season.

“That’s the ambition and it should be no matter what situation you’re in at a club, you should always be aiming for the top six.”

Altona returned to pre-season training on Monday and Lozanovski said it has made several signings for next season.

“We’ve hit the ground running a week ago when it all happened, so we’re still coming building, we’re still signing players and over the coming weeks we’ll be a lot better than we are now,” he said.