Merrick Victory Favourite

The Age

Tuesday December 14, 2004

MICHAEL LYNCH

AS SYDNEY FC was putting the finishing touches yesterday to a deal to bring home the highest profile Socceroo to yet commit to the A League, Melbourne Victory bosses were contemplating the biggest decision in the fledgling club's history.

Victory board members met yesterday to decide whether to offer the coaching position to Melbourne-based Ernie Merrick or successful Sydney coach Nick Theodorakopoulos, both of whom were called in to make final presentations to the board.

Merrick has surprised many by making it to the final shortlist of two, given that he has not coached senior football since a stint in charge of former national league club Sunshine George Cross ended in 1991 and been head soccer coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport for the past 12 years.

For someone with such an unorthodox background to stay in the race this far suggests he is favourite to land the job.

He does have extensive experience in developing players and nurturing young talent.

Theodorakopoulos is a national league championship-winning coach with Wollongong Wolves, and he also took Parramatta Power to this year's grand final.

Yesterday, after his final interview, Theodorakopoulos said he was happy with the case he had made and believed he had been given every chance to impress.

"I gave it my best shot and if I get the job, I know there is a lot to be excited about. The fact that the club has not signed any players yet is an advantage," Theodorakopoulos said.

"There are a lot of very good Melbourne players still available who have been waiting to see what will happen."

Sydney, meanwhile, said it had clinched the signature of German-based striker David Zdrilic, bringing the number of players on its roster to 14.

Zdrilic is the first current Socceroo to make the break from Europe - where he is playing with second string Bundesliga club Eintracht Trier - to return home.

The front man has played 29 times for his country, most recently in seven internationals this year, against Turkey (both matches), Venezuela, South Africa, Tahiti, Fiji and Vanuatu.

"Sydney has recruited some good players and I want to be a part of it," Zdrilic said yesterday.

© 2004 The Age

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