In the first coaching casualty for the 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season, Sydney Olympic have parted company with Spanish coach Gorka Etxeberria effective immediately.
Sydney Olympic Football Club President Bill Papas stated the following in an official statement made by the club via its press release.
“The club would like to thank Gorka for his contribution in both building and developing our squad and the experience and mentoring he has provided our coaching staff throughout the club in his time here. We wish him the very best for his future endeavours.
“It’s always important to transition quickly when making a decision like this and we are delighted to announce that Olympic Hall of Fame member Abbas Saad has been appointed to the role of First Grade Coach for the 2018 season.”
Saad has represented the National team on four occasions and in 1990, he was awarded the Joe Marston Medal for the being the Player of the Match in the NSL final in which Sydney Olympic beat the Marconi Stallions 2-0. Saad also has extensive coaching experience both in Malaysia and in the NSW Premier League, as well as serving as Technical Youth Director at Sydney Olympic FC.”
Saad said he was excited to accept the opportunity of guiding the team into the 2018 season.
“It will be a great honour to lead and set the same standards within the Squad and Club that I did as a player with passion and success,” he said.
Saad will commence in the role on Tuesday, which will give him three training sessions to work with the squad ahead of the Round 1 fixture against Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Belmore Oval on Sunday 11 March at 3pm.
Assistant Coach Kerim Baba and the coaching staff will manage the team in the final trial against Blacktown City FC on Sunday.
Leave a Reply