Bentleigh Greens have fallen out of NPL VIC. Their new coach knows how to win it

Bentleigh Greens have turned to one of Victorian football’s most accomplished coaches to lead their rebuild, appointing former South Melbourne boss Esteban Quintas for the 2027 VPL1 season.

The move comes after Bentleigh’s relegation to Victoria’s second tier and signals their ambition to quickly restore a club that spent much of the previous decade among the dominant forces in Victorian football, and Quintas arrives with serious pedigree.

The Argentine spent seven seasons at rivals South Melbourne, initially as an assistant before taking charge of the senior team and overseeing one of the club’s strongest periods of the NPL era.

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He led South to the 2022 and 2024 NPL Victoria Premierships, the 2024 Dockerty Cup and three consecutive Grand Final appearances, while also taking the club to the Australia Cup semi-finals before departing last year.

Quintas was named NPL Victoria Coach of the Year in 2024.

“When I first arrived in Australia, Bentleigh Greens were the standard in senior men’s football,” Quintas said. “I know the history and expectations that come with this club, and I want to help return Bentleigh Greens to that level.

“That means developing players, creating the right culture and establishing a clear identity on and off the pitch.

“We have a great opportunity to build something special and I am excited to get started.”

His appointment also points towards how Bentleigh plan to rebuild.

More than 12 young players played significant roles in Quintas’ final full season at South, with the Greens highlighting his record of developing talent and providing genuine senior opportunities as a major factor behind the appointment.

Quintas also brings experience from Spain, including time within the Atletico Madrid system and with Real Murcia and Hercules CF.

“Bentleigh Greens welcomes Quintas to the club and looks forward to him leading the Senior Men’s program into the 2027 season, with a clear focus on restoring the club to its position among Victoria’s leading senior football programs and building the foundations for sustained success,” said the club.