By Lance Jenkinson
The coaching staff of the soon-to-be-named western suburbs A-League expansion club is beginning to take shape.
The Western Melbourne Group, the successful bidder for an A-League licence, has announced the appointments of senior assistant coaches John Hutchinson and John Anastasiadis.
The latest appointment was Hutchinson, who has been lured back from the US, where he was coaching Seattle Sounders 2 in the USL Championship.
The new club’s football director, Steve Horvat, expressed his delight about attracting Hutchinson to the Western Melbourne Group “family”.
“Attracting home a highly rated young Victorian coach shows what our club is all about and shows our commitment to homegrown coaches and those with community values,” he said.
Hutchinson has spent the past two seasons in the Seattle Sounders system.
But returning to Melbourne was an easy choice for the 39-year-old.
He is ready to get to work for the new Tarneit-based club.
“I’m a passionate Victorian who loves football and wants success,” Hutchinson said.
“The community in Western Melbourne want hard workers who are committed to the club 100 per cent every day. The hard work starts now.”
Hutchinson was a successful player in his own right.
He got his start with the Gippsland Falcons in the National Soccer League before moving to the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, becoming a fan favourite and playing more than 200 games, including a championship in 2011-12.
Hutchinson is hoping to translate some of what he learnt in Seattle and during his playing days to his new role.
“Hopefully, my experience in Seattle, who have been one of the success stories off the pitch in the Major League Soccer, and my A-League experience will help the club,” Hutchinson said.
“And, I must say, building our own privately funded football-only stadium in Tarneit is a fantastic idea that will bring the community and club together.
“I believe in the club and I believe in the values of the west.”
