Wednesday, 28 May 2003 12:00 AM
Stuart Munro is the new coach of the South Melbourne Soccer Club.
Munro, 40, played with Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier Division, earning 4 Scottish Premier League Championship medals and 4 League Cup Winner’s medals between 1984 and 1991.
Playing with Sydney United in 1997/98, Munro went on to coaching positions in Australia with Easter Pride (1998/99) and Carlton in 1999/2000. Munro led the Carlton team to the Preliminary Final in 2000. Most recently Munro’s National Soccer League involvement has been as assistant coach with Parramatta Power.
South Melbourne President Peter Mitrakas has hailed Munro as the perfect person to lead the club.
“We are thrilled to have such a professional coach taking over the reigns at the most successful club in the country,” says Mitrakas. “He was an outstanding candidate with professional credentials and someone who can be part of a larger program of growing the club in the Australian sporting community. I have no doubt in my mind that he is the best soccer coach in the country.”
Munro described the appointment as “a huge honour” and described South Melbourne as the best club in Australian soccer. “I have been involved with some great clubs overseas and walking into South Melbourne I get the same feeling of pride and achievement”, said Munro.
“I have one role at this club and that is to bring success. I am not here to build a youth team or finish sixth or seventh on the ladder. I am here to build a championship team.”
Munro has a two year deal with South Melbourne and takes over immediately. South Melbourne is likely to begin pre-season training at the start of July, with the new National Soccer League season due to kick off in late September.
South Melbourne is a founding member of the Australian National Soccer League and were champions in 1984, 1991, 1998 and 1999.