Image: Mark Avellino
Lou Acevski has departed the Hume City hot seat less than a week out from their FFA Cup Round of 32 tie with the Marconi Stallions.
Acevski exits ABD Stadium having been appointed coach of the Broadmeadows based club in 2012, with the highlight of his time at the club being their run into the FFA Cup semi-finals last season.
Despite sitting sixth on the NPL ladder – five points behind third-placed Heidelberg United – the 38-year-old has been relieved of his duties by the Hume City hierarchy.
The former goalkeeper had guided Hume to an impressive eight match undefeated streak in all competitions since the beginning of June, before suffering his first loss since Round 13 at the hands of Pascoe Vale last Friday night.
Further woe was inflicted on Tuesday night as City went down 2-0 at the hands of Green Gully in the Dockerty Cup semi-final at JL Murphy Reserve.
His departure is a big blow to Hume’s Championship aspirations, as well as their quest to repeat last season’s FFA Cup heroics which begin with next Wednesday’s clash against the Marconi Stallions.
Speaking to TCF, Acevski revealed the reasoning behind his departure from City – a club which he has called home since 2009.
“Basically I sat down with the president Steve Kaya yesterday and informed him of my intentions to take a break next season and leave my post at season’s end,” he said.
“He thought it would be best then to part company effective immediately so the club can start planning ahead and I respect that decision.”
Acevski’s assistant and good friend Zoran Markovski has also departed the club alongside team manager Hakan Dogan – technical director Dean Hennessey will lead on a caretaker basis, with U20 head coach David Chick as assistant, and Steven Gray moving into a senior role as well.