2009/10 Hyundai A-League champions Sydney FC have secured the services of three key members of its coaching staff with assistant coach Tony Popovic, goalkeeping coach John Filan and Head of Human Performance Dr. Craig Duncan all extending their contracts with the club.
2009/10 Hyundai A-League champions Sydney FC have secured the services of three key members of its coaching staff with assistant coach Tony Popovic, goalkeeping coach John Filan and Head of Human Performance Dr. Craig Duncan all extending their contracts with the club.
Popovic and Filan have both agreed to two-year contract extensions that will see them with the Sky Blues until at least the end of the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season whilst Duncan has signed on for a further three years.
Alongside coach Vitezslav Lavicka, assistant Michal Zach and physiotherapist Stan Ivancic, the group have formed a formidable partnership in season 2009/10, not only steering the club to the Championship but leading Sydney FC to its inaugural Premiers Plate and a berth in the 2010 Asian Champions League.
“Securing the services of such high quality staff further strengthened the clubs long term coaching philosophy and commitment to playing an entertaining brand of football,” CEO Edwin Lugt said.
“With the key coaching staff now secured, Sydney FC will work towards filling strategic positions within the team.”
Popovic joined Sydney FC in 2007 after a distinguished playing career for club and country that included time in Japan, England and Qatar and an appearance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. After retiring in November 2008, he immediately began his role as an assistant coach with Sydney FC.
“It-s great to be continuing what we have started here at Sydney FC and to continue to work together to build on the great season we have just had,” Popovic said.
Filan joined Sydney FC in 2008, bringing a wealth of experience to the club following his illustrious playing career that included stints with English clubs Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers and 164 appearances for Wigan Athletic.
“I am extremely happy to be with Sydney FC and be involved with the group of players and coaching staff we have here. We all worked hard this season and we want to continue that on for years to come,” Filan said.
Duncan will be in charge of all human performance departments of the club, including strength and conditioning, performance, video and GPS analysis, research and sports psychology.
“It is great to be part of this club for such an extended period of time and to keep improving on what we-ve started. What we have achieved is special but there is so much more we can do,” Duncan said.
Duncan will also bring into operation a specific high performance program which the club will announce at a later date.
“I am very happy about this news. We have begun something special here. We have built this season step-by-step and with Michal, Tony, John and the rest of the club sticking together. We can achieve more success,” Lavicka said.
