Sinisa Cohadzic has left South Melbourne FC less than 48 hours after leading the club to a historic Australia Cup victory over Melbourne Victory, with the successful coach confirmed as the new manager of Victorian rivals Avondale FC.
Cohadzic announced his departure on Monday, October 12, in an emotional statement of more than 1,100 words reflecting on his achievements at Lakeside, his relationship with the players and supporters, and the legacy he believes the team has created.
Avondale subsequently confirmed his appointment, bringing an abrupt end to a tenure that transformed South Melbourne from a club battling relegation into one of the most successful sides outside Australia’s top professional competition.
The timing is striking. Cohadzic’s final match in charge was Saturday night’s Australia Cup final at AAMI Park, where South Melbourne defeated A-League opposition Melbourne Victory 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in front of a record crowd of 29,911.
The victory delivered a landmark achievement for the historic Greek Australian club, making South Melbourne the first team from outside the A-League to win the Australia Cup.
From relegation battles to national glory
Cohadzic’s departure closes a remarkable chapter at South Melbourne.
When he took charge, the club was fighting to avoid relegation. His tenure ultimately delivered the Dockerty Cup, the Australian Championship title, a place in the OFC Pro League Grand Final and the historic Australia Cup triumph.
For a club with deep roots in Melbourne’s Greek community and a proud history in Australian football, the victory over Melbourne Victory represented far more than another trophy.
South Melbourne had overcome a fully professional A-League opponent with a squad that, during much of Cohadzic’s tenure, operated within the realities of semi-professional football.
In his farewell statement, Cohadzic said the team’s achievements had helped reshape perceptions of what South Melbourne could accomplish.
“We didn’t just win trophies, we helped change what people believed was possible for South Melbourne,” he wrote.
He also highlighted the club’s transition towards full professionalism, expressing pride that the team he helped build had contributed to the next stage of South Melbourne’s development.
“To win the Australia Cup as a semi-professional club, in a competition featuring the best professional teams in the country, is an achievement that will forever hold a special place in the history of Australian football,” he said.
An emotional farewell to players and supporters
Much of Cohadzic’s statement focused on the people behind South Melbourne’s success.
He thanked the club’s supporters for their backing throughout his time in charge, recalling the emotion of hearing fans chant his name from the stands.
He described saying goodbye to his players as the most difficult part of his departure, calling them his group, his responsibility and his family.
“To my players, saying goodbye to you is the hardest part,” he wrote.
“You were my group, my responsibility and my family. We suffered together, celebrated together, fought together and achieved together.”
Cohadzic urged the players to protect the standards and culture established during his tenure, telling them not to forget what they had achieved together.
He also thanked co-presidents Bill Papastergiadis and Andrew Mesourouni, the club’s board, director Peter Kokotis, fellow coaches and staff for their support.
Special recognition was reserved for his friend Sam, whom he described as a source of guidance and support during the most difficult moments of his coaching career.
“Some friendships are bigger than football, and ours is one of them,” he wrote.
A new challenge at Avondale
Cohadzic’s next move takes him to Avondale FC, the reigning NPL Victoria champions and a rival of South Melbourne in the Australian Championship.
The appointment sets up an intriguing new chapter for the coach, who will now lead another ambitious Victorian club after leaving South Melbourne at the height of its recent success.
His departure also creates an immediate challenge for South Melbourne, with the club preparing for its Australian Championship campaign.
South Melbourne has confirmed that former National Soccer League player Sam Poutakidis will take charge of the side for this weekend’s opening match against Sutherland Sharks.
The transition comes as the club looks to build on the momentum generated by its Australia Cup triumph and maintain its standing among Australia’s leading clubs outside the A-League.
Cohadzic insists his connection with South Melbourne will remain
Despite joining a rival, Cohadzic made clear that he does not consider his relationship with South Melbourne finished.
“Although my time in this role comes to an end, my connection with South Melbourne does not,” he wrote.
“I will always be a South Melbourne supporter.”
He said he hoped his legacy would extend beyond silverware, leaving behind stronger belief, higher standards and a foundation for future teams.
His final words were a personal thank you to the club that gave him the opportunity to establish himself as a coach and become part of one of the most memorable periods in its history.
“Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for believing in me.”
For South Melbourne, the celebrations following one of the greatest nights in its modern history have quickly been followed by a major change in leadership.
For Cohadzic, the next challenge begins at Avondale, with his achievements at Lakeside now part of the club’s history.
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