Tara Murray
New Sydenham Park coach Mate Dugandzic was ready for the opportunity to take on a head coaching role.
The former A-League player has been in assistant coaching roles since his playing days ended, but will step up to the main role at the Reds next season.
Dugandzic said Sydenham Park was an attractive team to join and he was excited for the challenge.
“It’s definitely a new challenge for me being my first senior coaching role,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.
“The club has got close to getting promoted for many years but haven’t been able to get past the final hurdle.
“Hopefully we can next year.”
Dugandzic said he had always been keen on coaching during his playing days and had done a number of courses throughout the years.
He joined Western United’s Academy side when he first finished playing before being part of Brunswick Juventus coaching this year.
“I always had a desire to coach and to give it a go,” he said. “I’ve always been an assistant and now I’ve been given my opportunity to take on my own tea.
“It was something I strived to do.”
Having played his junior soccer at St Albans before moving to the Melbourne Knights, Dugandzic has been familiar with the Reds for a number of years.
It’s part of the reason it attracted him to the role.
“I grew up around the corner,” he said. “I went to school at Overnewton, I’m familiar with the area.
“They are a good club by all reports and people can’t speak highly enough of the club.
“The club has some big aspirations and that is always attractive.”
The Reds finished the FV state league 1 north west season in fourth spot having changed coaches throughout the year.
The Reds have finished top five every season since 2014, including second in 2023 when only one team was promoted instead of the usual two.
Dugandzic said the club wants to keep improving and get promoted up the ranks.
“They’ve been thereabouts and they’ve definitely got the squad to be competitive and get promoted,” he said.
“The club tries to attract new players and good players.”
Dugandzic said he was planning on keeping the core from this year’s squad for next year and they’re looking to add some players.
He said any players they looked to add would have to fit in with the culture at the club.
The group is set to do some sessions before Christmas with pre-season proper to kick off early next year.
