New Heidelberg United coach John Anastasiadis discusses his expectations, plans for 2024
Respected coach John Anastasiadis returns to the NPL Victoria club that launched his career and has high hopes for Heidelberg United in 2024.
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John Anastasiadis is back where it all began.
Heidelberg United helped launch Anastasiadis’ playing career in 1986 and he returns as coach 35 years later looking to lift the Warriors back into NPL Victoria championship contention.
A four-time NPL championship-winning coach, the 55-year-old returns to the NPL after five years with A-League club Western United.
He takes the reins from Heidelberg legend George Katsakis, who was sacked after 16 years last month.
Anastasiadis has high expectations coming into a club close to his heart.
“I played here 35 years ago, that’s the last time I was here, so coming back to the club that gave me an opportunity to play senior football is very exciting,” he said.
“I definitely want to be in the top echelon of the league, there’s no doubt about it, but the main thing is we want to play some good football.
“We want to play some football that people will be pleased to watch, football that’s exciting, and I have no doubt will be successful.
“I think people know my style of football, we want to be a team that puts the ball on the deck and plays through the lines.
“Definitely attacking football without obviously relinquishing what’s at the back but we want to be a team that plays some good attacking football.”
With the introduction of the National Second Division postponed until 2025, Anastasiadis expects to retain the bulk of Heidelberg’s squad.
He’ll have elite talent at his disposal, including 2022 Gold Medallist Kaine Sheppard, former A-League talents Adrian Zahra, Anthony Lesiotis and Kenny Athiu.
The Warriors finished ninth this season with a 9-7-11 record but still made the final of the Dockerty Cup and quarter-finals of the Australia Cup.
Anastasiadis will look to strengthen the squad further for next season but is confident he can continue Katsakis’ work at Olympic Village.
“George is George, he’s done magnificently and had a great career at Heidelberg,” Anastasiadis said.
“We’re keeping the whole squad at this stage but we’ll see in the next four weeks, when we start training on the 13th, if people can play the way I want them to play.
“Hopefully they can and that way we can keep everyone and give them an opportunity because I think they deserve it.
“You always want to strengthen the squad, competition is healthy, and that’s what we want.
“We’ve got three players signed up, we’ll keep those names under wrap, but we’ll see how the next four week pan out.
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“Hopefully I can give myself a nice little headache choosing the best 11 to start games and ultimately a successful club has 22 that can play as well as any other.”
Anastasiadis will be joined by Goran Stajic, who takes control of the club’s under-23s.
Stajic is the Pararoos assistant coach, currently competing in the Asia-Oceania Championships in Melbourne.
He’s also served as the head of football of reigning NPL Victoria champion and premier Avondale and Melbourne Grammar.
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