Inglewood United’s plans for 2016 won’t be unsettled by this week’s unexpected change of coach according to Joshua Pereira.   The club was taken by surprise earlier in the week by Michael Garcia’s sudden resignation, for work and family reasons.   Assistant coach Taki Nicolaidis has stepped into the breach and will be at the helm for Saturday’s Night Series game with Cockburn City.

Pereira says the appointment of Nicolaidis will ensure there is no loss of momentum as Inglewood prepares for the season ahead.   “The team has got to know Taki as our assistant coach and a few of us have been coached by him before,” Pereira said.   “The player group is already comfortable with him and his coaching style, so it should be a smooth transition.”

“Garc is a really genuine guy, and the team was excited to work with and learn from him.   It’s a shame to see him go but all the players understand why he made his decision and totally respect it.   For us though, nothing has changed.   The squad is the same as are our ambitions for the Night Series and the season proper.”

Inglewood commences life under Nicolaidis on Saturday with a second round Night Series game at Dalmatinac Park.   “We want to get off the mark against Cockburn,” said Pereira.   “Individually, the squad is out to impress the new coach and as a team we want to show that last week’s loss (to Floreat Athena) isn’t a reflection on the game that we play.”

“We’re a new team and we’ve gelled together really well both on and off the pitch.   When you have a group of players that are working for each other – let alone has the quality we do – then you have a team that will be able to break down their opponents … I’m very confident we can come home with the three points this weekend.”