Courtesy Inglewood United

Inglewood United Soccer Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Garcia as our senior coach for the 2015 National Premier Leagues season.

After an extensive process where many highly-qualified candidates were carefully considered, Inglewood’s management team identified Garcia, a former Australian youth international, as the outstanding candidate to implement their long-term vision.

Pictured: Inglewood United President Luke Martin (centre) with Michael Garcia (left) and Victor Sikora.

Garcia, 37, is regarded as being at the forefront of a new generation of football coaches, an excellent motivator with a progressive philosophy and proven track record in youth development.

Garcia will be assisted by Victor Sikora, a former Dutch international, and together the pair will work in collaboration with the club’s Technical Director, Goran Stajic.

Club president Luke Martin says Inglewood have got the men they want.

“The appointment of Michael and Victor are important steps in building the kind of club – on and off the field – our members and supporters can be excited about,” Martin said.

“Their football philosophies are perfectly aligned with those of the club, and they had no hesitation at all in embracing exactly what we are trying to build at Inglewood.

“Michael and Victor are excited to be in charge of our talented squad next season.

“We do not expect miracles overnight, nor should anyone else. But we firmly believe that the direction the club is heading in will lead to National Premier Leagues championships.

"We will continue to build the right way as we set a bold, exciting course for this historic club.”

Garcia is no stranger to Inglewood having guided the Under-23s to the Premier Division and Grand Final double in 2013.

He played professionally for Canberra Cosmos, Perth Glory and Marine Castle United, making a combined total of 95 appearances, amid time on the local scene with Kingsway Olympic, ECU Joondalup and Sorrento.

An Australia Under-20 and Under-23 representative, his career was halted at the age of 25  by ongoing injury.

Sikora played much of his career in the Netherlands, whom he represented at senior international level on six occasions.

The 36-year old played over 300 games for Go Ahead Eagles, Vitesse, Ajax, Heerenveen and NAC Breda.  

Following a brief spell with FC Dallas, he joined Glory where he played 23 games before hanging up his boots for the final time in 2012.