Veresa Toma’s Doveton side is looking for a new coach after the resignation of Sam Elmazi. By Paul Pickering
VOLATILE Doveton coach Sam Elmazi has resigned from the club.
Elmazi informed the players of his decision last Thursday night, leaving reserves coach Glen Bristow to take over for Doveton’s 3-1 loss to Brandon Park on Saturday.
Elmazi’s departure was the culmination of a tumultuous month at Waratah Reserve, with the Doves falling from their perch atop Football Federation Victoria’s State League Division Three South-East.
Plagued by injury in recent weeks, Doveton has lost its last three games and finds itself in tenth spot.
Doveton president Daniel McMinimee said the split would benefit both parties.
“He said there was a communication breakdown between himself and the players,” McMinimee explained.
“There was a little bit of disharmony, but I don’t think there was any bad blood.”
While Elmazi refused to comment on his decision, he said he was assessing his coaching options and confirmed that he had been approached by at least two other clubs.
McMinimee said the club had urged Elmazi to refresh an ageing playing list, but hadn’t seen the development it was hoping for.
He also suggested that the club’s hand may have been forced if the Doves’ on-field woes continued.
“We would have assessed it before the transfer deadline, but if it had gone another three weeks we probably would’ve sacked him,” he said.
According to McMinimee, it was a deflated Doveton unit that took the pitch on Saturday.
After equalising from a penalty midway through the second half, the Doves conceded two goals in quick succession to see the points slip away.
The Doves have already fielded inquiries from aspiring coaches, but McMinimee said the club would take its time in appointing Elmazi’s replacement.
“We need to sit down, regroup and see where we all are first,” he said.
Elsewhere in Division Three, Endeavour United’s frustrating start to the season continued in a 2-2 draw at North Caulfield on Saturday.
United scored first and last – through Hardeep Garcha and Pedro Sequeira – but failed to break through for their first win of the year.
Meanwhile, neither Berwick City nor Croydon City could break the nil-all deadlock at Jack Thomas Reserve.
In Division Two South-East, the Casey Comets had a 1-0 win over the struggling Waverley Wanderers at Comets Stadium, moving to sixth on the table courtesy of a first-half goal to Anthony Ciccarelli.
Round Seven match-ups: Division Two South-East: Casey Comets at Port Melbourne. Division Three South-East: Doveton at Boroondara Eagles, Berwick City at Sandringham City, Heatherton United at Endeavour United.
