During stints with Melbourne Knights, South Melbourne and Heidelberg United, the former Socceroos defender always viewed any financial reward for his services as a bonus.

The 48-year-old wants his Moreland Zebras players to take the same attitude into every match after being installed as the NPL2 West club’s new coach.

“If you want to play for us and you want to earn the shirt I don’t think money should be a factor,” De Amicis said.

“You definitely want to be rewarded for the work you do.

“But if we are talking hundreds and hundreds of dollars, I don’t think you are there for the right reasons.”

De Amicis is well placed to talk about the pride and history associated with representing Moreland Zebras.

Fausto De Amicis (right) in action for the Socceroos against Colombia. Picture: Ariana Cubillos.

He started his career at the club as an eight-year-old, progressing through to the senior ranks before moving to the National Soccer League.

“You get an opportunity to coach someone like Moreland Zebras, you try and do it and be there for as long as you can,” he said.

De Amicis has replaced Danny Gnjidic at the helm of the Zebras.

He was previously under-20s coach at FC Bulleen Lions and was an assistant in the NPL top flight at Richmond this year.

De Amicis, who played under Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou at South Melbourne, said Moreland wanted to add quality to its front third after losing James Papadimitriou and Baggio Yousif to Northcote City.

“We are certainly looking at adding some quality to the spine of the team and definitely up front,” he said.

De Amicis said a hunger to succeed was the key ingredient he was after in players.

“Our intention is to work extremely hard and put a team out that is ultra-competitive and with the same willingness and ambition that the club has and I have as a coach,” he said.

Moreland Zebras announced the signing of Richmond duo Kaspar Scheiber and Javier Marangos on Sunday.