Victory is on the hunt for new mentor

 

By Teo Pellizzeri

October 30 2008

Shepparton News

Cobram Victory and coach Gianfranco Impellizzeri have parted ways after the North Eastern Soccer League club started advertising for a new senior coach last week.

Victory president Tony Startari confirmed yesterday Impellizzeri would not be staying on with the club next season.

The Italian coach came to Victory with a wealth of experience in Victorian soccer and saw immediate results on the park as his team challenged for the minor premiership.

Impellizzeri's connections along with Cobram Victory helped the club lure players such as goalkeeper Ang Bufalino and defenderforward Nathan Thomas to the league.

Startari said advertising for a coach had done little for Victory in the past, but its hunt for a coach would be a thorough one.

"It was a radical move to have a coach coming out of Melbourne," Startari said.

"Gianfranco couldn't commit the time we wanted him too with training.

"We knew that from the start, he left on good terms."

Startari said as of right now the club's Melbournebased players such as league best and fairest Frank Bazzano and defender Seb Fichera were coming back to Victory next season.

Victory is also looking to secure the services of a women's team coach for next season.

Impellizzeri's departure marks the second coaching change in as many seasons for Victory since its North Eastern league debut, Englishman Daniel Yarnley was its coach in 2007.

Impellizzeri also holds a coaching position with Werribee in winter metropolitan soccer and is currently in the mix for the head coach's role at men's premier league club Green Gully.