Decorated coach awaiting go ahead to lead Cobram Victory

 

By Teo Pellizzeri

December 24 2007

Shepparton News

Gianfranco Impellizzeri is the frontrunner for the Cobram Victory coaching role with his appointment pending ratification from the club's committee.

The Italian national with a decorated history in Victorian soccer is set to coach Victory next season after an inprinciple agreement to take the top job.

Impellizzeri will succeed Daniel Yarnley after the Englishman's one-year term expired.

Impellizzeri's playing career in Australia included stints at Brunswick, Bulleen, Box Hill, Springvale City and Essendon as well as senior coaching roles with Pascoe Vale and Werribee.

Victory president Tony Startari emphasised Impellizzeri's appointment had yet to be ratified.

"We will have a meeting on the second Tuesday in January," Startari said.

"That's where we'll hold a vote as a committee."

Melbourne-based striker Frank Bazzano was Impellizzeri's connection to North Eastern Soccer League.

Impellizzeri said he liked the culture at Cobram Victory and was looking forward to working with the team.

"I had a chance to introduce myself to the players and I am looking forward to coaching Cobram Victory," Impellizzeri said.

"We'll have a program in place to start pre-season training on February 5.

"We will have a few people coming from Melbourne, but we also want local players who are interested to really get involved."

With Victory just a season into the North Eastern league after switching from the Albury-Wodonga competition, Impellizzeri was in no doubt as to his ambitions.

"We want to make top four and play finals," he said.

Bazzano will continue with Victory after having tied for the league best and fairest award but missed out due to ineligibility.