Olympic Appoints Terry Kirkham As New Coach
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Kylie Wells
Olympic FC have charged former Moreton Bay United boss Terry Kirkham with turning their fortunes around as the club’s new “long-term” coach.
Kirkham, who replaces double-winner Jim Bellas, returns to PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues after leading Jets to sixth and fifth finishes in the competition’s first two seasons.
The A-Licenced coach last year guided Peninsula Power to a Grand Final win in Football Brisbane’s Flight Centre Premier League but faces a tough challenge to revive Olympic’s season.
The inaugural champions sit second-bottom after eight rounds and were last night knocked out of the Westfield FFA Cup in a shock 4-1 defeat to local side Moggill FC.
Kirkham acknowledged the challenge ahead and forecasted changes at the beginning of what is a “long-term vision” for the club.
“These things happen in football and sometimes clubs need a new direction and the playing group needs a fresh start and a fresh approach,” Kirkham said.
“That’s exactly what I will bring to the club.
“The boys had a good win on the weekend but a bad loss last night. There’s been a lot of indecision in the last week and we now need to get the playing group and everyone focussed on moving forward.
“I’ve watched a couple of games now, I’ve got a good understanding of the players we’ve got to work with and there will be certainly some changes.”
Kirkham’s role will include overseeing the club’s U18 Boys and Youth Men’s teams in a bid to strengthen the Yeronga outfit’s youth development.
Olympic president Peter Ioannidis believes Kirkham possesses “all the attributes of a good coach” and will strike a balance between results and development.
“He’s a disciplinarian, he can develop players, he’s got excellent knowledge of the game tactically. He’s got everything we need,” Ioannidis said.
“It’s a long-term deal and we have got things we want to put in place.
“There is no point being part of the NPL if you are not going to give the best young kids a chance.”
Kirkham will lead training at Goodwin Park for the first time tonight before taking charge away to Gold Coast City on Sunday.
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