Sunday, 18 November 2012 2:07 PM
Photos by George Kouroumalis
South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce that Club legend and Team of the Century member Mehmet Durakovic has been appointed as Senior Technical Director.
The Senior Technical Director will oversee the implementation of the FFA National Curriculum in SMFC’s new Youth program. Furthermore, he will work closely with the senior coaching staff and recently appointed Youth Development Technical Director from Brazil, Marcelo Koslowsky.
Mehmet Durakovic had a long and distinguished playing career with South Melbourne where he was best remembered for his unbelievable work ethic and for leading the South Melbourne defence on a weekly basis against the very best attacking sides in the land. In total, he played in 231 National Soccer League matches in two stints with South Melbourne and was part of the memorable come from behind 1991 National Soccer League Grand Final win. In 1995, Mehmet Durakovic moved abroad to fulfil his desire to play professionally and transferred to Selangor in the Malaysian Football League where he won three championships. In total, Mehmet Durakovic’s National Soccer League career spanned five clubs and 360 matches. His tough and match winning defensive ability did not go unnoticed and represented the Soccerroos on 64 occasions.
Once, his playing days had come to an end, Mehmet Durakovic commenced his managerial career at Port Melbourne in 2003, and went on to become the manager of the Football Program at the Victorian Institute of Sport. He continued his career in youth development when he was appointed as the inaugural manager of the Melbourne Victory Youth Team, and progressed to the Melbourne Victory Head Coach role.
SMFC President Leo Athanasakis on the appointment of Mehmet Durakovic said “we are excited by theprospect of welcoming Mehmet back to South Melbourne where he will be working on a full time basis overseeing the football operations of the club and working closely with the Youth Development Technical Director and the Senior Coach. South Melbourne is raising the bar even higher by investing in its football infrastructure”.
Delighted by his appointment, Mehmet Durakovic said “I’m looking forward to coming home to South Melbourne and quite excited with the opportunity to oversee the SMFC curriculum which will help develop the football stars of tomorrow”.
For all media enquiriues, please contact Tom Kalas on (03) 9645 9797 or admin@smfc.com.au.
