Heidelberg United have swooped on recently available coach Alex Gymnpoulos, announcing him as senior football technical director at the club.
The former Northcote City U20s and senior coach will work with the current senior line-up, including George Katsakis and Jeff Olver.
Gymnopoulos recently left cellar-dwellers Northcote, where after rising through the ranks as 20s coach to take over the senior side, struggled in 2016 to re-energise a squad in slow decline results-wise since its 2013 VPL championship.
His appointment at Heidelberg goes a long way to undo the disappointment of departing a club he had served for many years in various capacities.
Heidelberg, meanwhile, have enjoyed a steady rise since its three point deduction pre-season and heavy defeat in its first round clash against South Melbourne, going undefeated to propel itself to a top-four position.
A key factor has been its miserly defence, conceding only three times in six games.
Gymnopoulos is a cousin of Katsakis, and has previously been involved with Heidelberg in a playing capacity.
As a junior he won a U21 state championship with the club.
His role at Olympic Village will commence on May 1.