Savor quits Cringila as opportunity calls
Illawarra Premier League club Cringila Lions have been rocked by the news head coach Wally Savor will leave his post effective immediately.
The decision comes as Savor is set to be announced as the new head coach of NPL 2 outfit St George Saints FC who have been without a coach for the past fortnight since Terry Palapanis left the club.
Savor was adamant there was no animosity between himself and the club, admitting a major factor was the lure of returning to the NPL system, “I am no different to a footballer who wants to play at a higher level. When you get the opportunity to coach at a higher level you always take it.” Savor also sighted the desire to be with a club closer to his family.
The former Rockdale City Suns coach explained how this was a rapid process, “This happened very quickly, the club [St George FC] contacted me, we discussed some things and within 48 hours they got back to me.” Savor added he let Cringila know he was in talks with St George before informing the Lions of his decision at 12 pm on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Cringila said, “We are disappointed to see him leave but we understand his decision and we appreciate what he has done for us.” The spokesperson added a decision on who will take over from Savor is yet to be made with more details likely to be announced in the coming days ahead of the Round 6 match with Wollongong Olympic.
The former Australian international was appointed as head coach of Cringila in 2017 after the club had failed to finish above the bottom three in the three preceding seasons. In 2017, Savor steered the club to the relative success of an eighth-place finish.
This season Cringila find themselves in fifth after three wins in the first five rounds including a 3–1 win over Woonona on Saturday. In total, Savor spent 27 matches at the helm with 9 wins, 3 draws and 15 defeats. Savor is content with what he managed to achieve with the Lions, “I was there to put the club on the right path and we started really doing that this year.”
Savor now takes over a St George side who sit in second place in the New South Wales second tier, six points behind competition leaders Mt Druitt Town Rangers. The Saints last match was a shock 4–0 defeat to Rydalmere Lions.
Savor will be in charge of St George for Saturday’s match away to Mounties Wanderers — who Palapanis joined as Technical Director. It will be only a week until Savor is back in the region with St George taking on Bulli in the fifth round of the FFA Cup.
