South Melbourne FC has announced the departure of senior head coach Esteban Quintas, following the team’s 3-0 home defeat to rivals Heidelberg United on Sunday, April 13 at Lakeside Stadium.
In a statement released Monday, the club confirmed it had parted ways with Quintas, describing his tenure as one marked by professionalism, commitment and notable success. The departure signals a major shift for the NPL Victoria powerhouse, which now enters a transitional phase mid-season.
Quintas had been at the helm since 2019, guiding South Melbourne through a period of revival and renewed competitiveness. During his time in charge, the club secured two NPL Victoria Premiership titles (2022 and 2024), lifted the Dockerty Cup in 2024, reached the semi-finals of the national Australia Cup, and claimed the Charity Shield earlier this year.
He also earned individual recognition, being named NPL Victoria Coach of the Year in 2024, and was widely praised for promoting youth development, regularly elevating under-23 and junior players into the senior squad.
The decision to part ways appears to follow a period of inconsistent performances, with Sunday’s flat display against Heidelberg United adding to growing pressure. Notably, Quintas was seen embracing staff before kick-off – a gesture some interpreted as hinting at an impending departure.
The timing of Quintas’s exit is particularly significant, as South Melbourne prepares to enter the newly established Australian Championship – the formal name for the National Second Tier (NST) competition launched by Football Australia. The league will feature 12 foundation clubs, including South Melbourne FC, in a national 22-round format followed by a finals series.
The Greek Herald previously reported on the official launch of the Australian Championship, which is set to begin in early 2025. South Melbourne is expected to play a central role in the competition, with its strong supporter base and proud history making it a key pillar of the league’s success.
The club has yet to name a successor, but said an announcement regarding the next phase of coaching leadership will be made later this week.
For South Melbourne, a club deeply embedded in Melbourne’s Greek-Australian community, the end of Quintas’s era marks the close of a chapter defined by both silverware and cultural renewal. As the club recalibrates mid-season, all eyes turn to the horizon of national competition and the opportunities that the Australian Championship will bring.
