Coaching changes at Sydney Olympic
National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side Sydney Olympic have appointed its Technical Director Ante Juric as the head coach of the senior side after the club were unable to reach a mutual agreement around a revised contract with Terry Palapanis of his role for the varied competition commencing in August.
Palapanis commenced in the role of Men’s 1st Grade Coach and Senior Technical Director for the 2020 season which was suspended by Football NSW due to COVID – 19 after Round 3 of the regular season. Terry will continue in the role of Senior Technical Director to support the preparation of the Senior program and will continue to report to the CEO and Club Board.
The decision has meant that Club Technical Director and former Sydney Olympic player Ante Juric will assume the coaching role for the 1st grade team for the 11-round competition.
”While disappointed we were unable to reach an agreement with Terry, for this revised competition around the 1st Grade Coaching component of his role, we are lucky to have a coach of Ante’s experience on staff at the Club and he is able to step into the role immediately to take the squad,” said Sydney Olympic CEO John Boulos.
Players were offered a reduced salary for the 2020 season and were fully accepting of the rationale behind this revised offer to support the Club’s participation in the competition.
“We are very lucky that our players appreciate the financial impact from decreased funding and sponsorship on the Club due to COVID-19. Our playing groups, men and women have all been willing to accept revised terms in their agreements to ensure we put the Club at the forefront of all decisions and are able to participate in the proposed competition”. Boulous said.
In squad news for the revised competition, the club has lost Spaniard Raul Beneit Romero who returned back to Spain while the competition was suspended and keeper Anthony Bouzanis who decided to not continue with the Club.
Returning to the Club is former Sydney FC defender Ben Van Muers who after signing with the Club in the off-season, accepted a professional contract offer in Hong Kong.
Also returning is young attacker Alexander Lopez who left just prior to the season start for a trial opportunity in Uruguay.
