Day: November 1, 2018

South announces Koutos as Senior Women’s Coach

South Melbourne FC would like to announce the appointment of Angelo Koutos as the Coach of our Senior Women’s team for the 2019 NPLW Season.

Angelo started his football career in 1975 at the age of nine in the South Melbourne Hellas juniors playing in the same teams as Ange Postecoglou and Manny Anezakis. After six years he moved to Richmond SC and Caulfield City playing in State League and the Victorian Premier League respectively. Koutos traveled to Greece at the age of 20 where he played in the Greek 1st and 2nd division with Pierikos FC for 8 years, before returning to Melbourne to join Heidelberg United in the National Soccer League (NSL)

After playing for two years, he shifted from the pitch to the coaches room serving as Assistant Coach for the Collingwood Warriors in the NSL and then as the Senior Coach of Heidelberg in the Victorian Premier League. He took a break from football starting a family and moving to Greece where in 2008 he returned to coaching at clubs including Pierikos FC and AEP Iraklis.

Koutos returned to Australia serving as the Technical Director and Under 13s coach at Alamein FC in 2016 and then the U17s coach at Manningham United in 2017. Angelo joined South Melbourne at the start of the 2018 season as the Under 16 Girls coach and Assistant Coach to Socrates Nicolaidis. When Nicolaidis returned to the USA, Angelo took over responsibilities as Senior Coach.

Koutos continued the success of the Senior Women’s team as they defeated Bulleen in the last round of the season to secure the NPLW Victoria Premiership before going close to winning the double, going down in the Grand Final at AAMI Park.

Director of Women’s Football, Gabrielle Giuliano spoke to smfc.com.au saying “I am pleased we have been able to secure the services of Angelo next year. He experienced success with the team this year and now will be able to formulate his own squad of existing and new players and develop a game plan to take us into 2019. As always, we will give Angelo and our coaches all of the necessary support in what we see as another huge season for the Senior Women’s team.”

SMFC wishes Angelo all the best for the 2018 season.

South thanks and farewells Milos Lujic

South Melbourne FC can confirm the departure of striker Milos Lujic from the club.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, President elect Nicholas Maikousis said “Milos has been an integral part of the squad over the last five years. He has celebrated success with the team together with multiple individual accomplishments. I and the club wish Milos the best in his future football activities”.

Milos has provided the following message to South Melbourne players, members and supporters.

“South Melbourne FC has been a massive part of my life for the past 5 years.

I have played the best football of my career at SMFC and can look back with pride at what we achieved as a team.

I would like to thank all the staff, board members and team mates past and present. Without you I couldn’t of achieved what I did at such a big club like South.

I loved every minute of playing for SMFC and will always remember the fans chanting my name after every goal. I want to thank them for their unconditional support through the highs and lows.

The decision to leave wasn’t easy but I leave with my head held high that I gave 100% for the shirt every game.

I also understand that after last season the need for the club to rebuild & refresh the squad moving forward.

I sincerely wish the club all the best in the future.

Milos Lujic

SMFC #9”

In his five years at the club, Milos’ success was significant including:

Team Results

2014 – NPL Championship

2015 – NPL Premiership

2015 – Dockerty Cup

2015 – Community Shield

2016 – NPL Championship

Individual League Honours

2014 – NPL Player of the Year (Gold Medal)

2014 – NPL Players Player of the Year

2014 – NPL Golden Boot

2015 – NPL Golden Boot

2016 – NPL Golden Boot

Individual Club Honours

2014 – Golden Boot

2014 – Media Player of the Year

2015 – Golden Boot

2016 – Golden Boot

2016 – Club record for most individual league goals in a season (including finals)

2017 – Golden Boot

2018 – Golden Boot