Anastasiadis, Gabrielson, resign - search for new coach begins

Finally, after last year's end of season dithering (strong rumours circulated that a coach had been lined up, but that the board was divided), and the awful start to this year, Johnny A's out the door. It was, to be brutally honest, inevitable. The team was on a downward spiral from the middle of last year, and apart from glimpses of their ability, the trend has continued into 2008. Rumours of player divisions; the anger of the fans; the poor results; few can withstand all three together. Some would stick it out, but seemingly for the betterment of the club, John's fallen on his sword.

Before becoming coach in 2005, Anastasiadis was already a South legend, after being a key component of the great Hellas sides of the late 1990s, scoring in both grand final wins against Carlton and Sydney United, as well as in the 2001 losing side against Wollongong Wolves. And of course, as the first Australian to score in the World Club Championships, against Necaxa, he sealed his reputation as big game player.

After his retirement, he coached Yarraville Glory for two seasons.,The first as player coach saw them get relegated, but in his second season as non-playing coach he saw them clinch the State League Division North-West 3 title and subsequent promotion. When South was in its hour of need in 2005, Johnny A' put his hand up when few else would. Starting with a squad of only 3, just weeks before the season, and with relegation widely tipped, John managed to steer his squad of veterans and no-names to 3rd place, and within a penalty kick of the grand final.

In 2006, Anastasidis claimed his greatest triumph, clinching the championship, South's first in all competitions in 6 years (the Oceania Club Champions being the previous title), as well as the pre-season cup against Fawkner-Whittlesea with a very young squad. Playing the sort of attacking football that South has always played, it was an enormous achievement, perhaps the most heartfelt win in the club's history. In 2007, a win in the Hellenic Cup final over Oakleigh, and with seemingly a much improved squad to work with, the results and consistency just never came. The 2nd half of the season typified the mess the team had got itself in, playing brilliant and at times gritty football to beat Oakleigh and the Melbourne Knights, but in general struggling to score goals, failing to score in 10 of the last 13 games. With the 2008 season not starting any better, the Preston win could have been the turning point. In the end, it was the exception not the rule, and the Gully game was the deal breaker. So ended one of the longest coaching stints at this club, and when put in perspective, one of its most successful.

South of the Border wishes both men all the best in their future endeavours, and thanks them for their long service to the club. While there has been a lot of argle-bargle, it should also be remembered that, apart from Ian Dobson, who took time off for family reasons in 2006, Anastasiadis has been the only coach who has remained at the same club and uninterrupted from the post-NSL era. Considering that in 2006 alone about 10 clubs changed managers, that is phenomenal longevity. As to who will replace him, that's a story for another day. For now, let us remember the good times.