Leo Malik has signed on as coach of Westvale Olympic with one eye on now and one on the future of the Football Federation Victoria club.
Malik wants to break the mould of selfish coach and set Olympic up for a period of sustained success with his whole-of-club approach.
“I’m one of those coaches who likes the whole club to work together under the same philosophy,” he said.
“There’s no point the senior coach going one way, then the reserve coach going the other, and then the under 18s going another way.
“What I’m trying to do is to get everyone to work with the same philosophy and the same type of football style.
“Obviously, each coach can adapt their team to what they want as well, but if you can focus on getting all the juniors playing a similar way, then, when it’s their chance to play at senior level, it’s going to be much easier for them.”
Malik hit out at the one-and-done style of local coaches in the modern era. The 39-year-old reckons too many are focused on personal success for their coaching CV, and not what is in the best interests of the club.
He wants to be at Westvale for at least three to four years to properly implement what he set out in his interviews with the club.
“Nearly every coach that comes into a club now, they bring their own players, get paid whatever money, they win the league and then, the following year, that coach leaves and all the players leave, and the club is back to zero again,” Malik said.
“We want the club to grow [from within] and build the junior base. We want to give those kids who have invested so much time and money in the club an opportunity to play at senior level.”
Malik does understand the need for positive results in the seniors and reserves from the get-go, though.
He will have to find a balanced approach between blooding youth and playing seniors.
Senior results will count towards Malik’s longevity at the club, but the work in the junior section will only come to fruition over time.
“We know what we want and what we need, and it’s going to take time,” Malik said.
“We need support from the committee as well, we need support from the members, we need support from the community.”
Westvale finished second in the FFV men’s state league 3 last season. The good news is the vast majority of players will return to chase that promotion in 2017.
Promotion is something that Malik is familiar with, having taken South Kingsville-based Melbourne City to two promotions in four seasons.
“It was a great four years that we were there,” Malik said. “We achieved two promotions, won the Hobson’s Bay Cup and won the league.
“But it was time to move on. Westvale … told me their plans, and I liked the proposal.”
Former Melbourne Knights’ star Andy Vargas will be Westvale’s assistant coach, while Juan Toro (fitness) and Daniel Campos (goalkeeping coach) have also joined.
Lance Jenkinson
