In a major bombshell the Devonport Strikers have announced a coaching change, replacing Suraj Pillai with former boss Chris Gallo as the head coach of the clubs NPL TAS side.
The dramatic move comes just under month out from the commencement of the 2020 NPL TAS season on March 21.
The Strikers' board met over the weekend after an intra-club hit out on Saturday morning and arrived at the decision to relieve Pillai of his head coaching duties.
The decision is believed to have been largely driven by squad discontent surrounding the sides' pre-season preparations, which didn't stack up with the high standards that had been set in recent years.
Gallo's return will be welcomed by many on the Coast having brought the Strikers great success to the club as the architect of their League title/Lakoseljac Cup double in 2018. He also led them into the Round of 16 of the FFA Cup, becoming the first Tasmanian side to win an away game in the competition.
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Gallo is embraced by former President Rod Andrew following their Lakoseljac Cup triumph in 2018- Solstice Photography[/caption]
With the opening round of the 2020 NPL Tasmania season on March 21, the coaching change leaves little time for Gallo to prepare the squad, but it was a move that simply had to made according to President Drew Smith, who told to The Advocate
"We just felt that as a club that we needed to go in a different direction and we needed to do it now."
"As a club we've been very successful over the past four years and with that comes very high expectations from the playing group and at a board level as well."
"We're lucky to have someone of Chris' calibre taking on the job because we believe he's the best coach in the state and we respect his ability,"
The Strikers open up their season on Saturday 21 March at Valley Road against South Hobart.
Gallo is embraced by former President Rod Andrew following their Lakoseljac Cup triumph in 2018- Solstice Photography[/caption]
With the opening round of the 2020 NPL Tasmania season on March 21, the coaching change leaves little time for Gallo to prepare the squad, but it was a move that simply had to made according to President Drew Smith, who told to The Advocate
"We just felt that as a club that we needed to go in a different direction and we needed to do it now."
"As a club we've been very successful over the past four years and with that comes very high expectations from the playing group and at a board level as well."
"We're lucky to have someone of Chris' calibre taking on the job because we believe he's the best coach in the state and we respect his ability,"
The Strikers open up their season on Saturday 21 March at Valley Road against South Hobart.