St Albans Saints have turned to a familiar face to lead their push for a Football Federation Victoria NPL2 west title.
Kruni Razov, who enjoyed a lengthy period of success with the Saints in the past, has stepped into the senior coaching position after the shock departures of Zeljko Kuzman and assistants Steve Bebic and Theo Mihailidis.
“It’s great to be back at St Albans,” Razov told Star Weekly.
“I’ve been coaching at Dandenong City and Cairnlea but it always means a little bit more when you feel like you’re at home.
“This is a place where I’ve seen a bit of success and I know a lot of people around the club.”
Razov led St Albans to promotion in 2009, although the club was denied a place in the Victorian Premier League after a nine-point deduction.
Twelve months later, the Saints went one better under Razov, taking out the title after starting minus-three and this time were not denied promotion.
Razov, 41, returns to Churchill Reserve a better coach.
“That success was six years ago,” Razov said. “I’m more mature now and a bit more a smarter player management-wise.”
It’s not only Razov’s growth that should aid the Saints title challenge, but also improvements made by the club since his departure.
“It’s definitely changed a lot,” he said.
“There’s a lot more structure and training sessions, the medical background and the equipment has changed dramatically in six years.”
Razov inherits a St Albans team in healthy shape.
The Saints entered the weekend in fifth place, just two points behind the top side.
Razov feels no pressure to deliver a trophy this season and is still assessing what are realistic goals.
“It’s a youngish squad with a couple of experienced players but they’re willing to learn and listen,” he said.
“We’ll take it a game at a time and there’s a lot of things we want to change and work on.
“The previous coaching staff did a great job but they had their ideas and I have my ideas.”
Razov has worked as the women’s team coach and technical director at St Albans this season.
“My daughter is in that side and I’ve known a lot of those girls for years,” he said. “They’re a great bunch of girls and they’ve developed extremely well.
“We were second on the ladder when I left and in the hunt to get promoted, so I’m devastated to have left the team.”
Lance Jenkinson
