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He saved a giant, won trophies and made history. 12 months later, he's gone
By Sacha Pisani29 May 2026
South Melbourne have parted with head coach Sinisa Cohadzic in a bombshell move.
Cohadzic surprisingly departs the NPL VIC juggernaut despite delivering two trophies and three finals appearances in the space of nine months.
Having previously served as South Melbourne’s Technical Director for five years, Cohadzic returned in May last year as the Oceania Team of the Century faced relegation.
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Cohadzic ended up writing one of the most successful short chapters in recent South Melbourne history. He not only preserved the club’s top-flight status but won the Dockerty Cup and an historic Australian Championship title in December.
While juggling their NPL VIC commitments, Cohadzic also guided South Melbourne to the inaugural OFC Pro League final - a feat recognised by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Cohadzic delivered silverware and national recognition to one of Australian football’s most decorated clubs.
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But it wasn’t just about lifting trophies. Cohadzic inherited expectation and transformed it into belief after taking over a team facing relegation. He galvanised a squad, united a club and restored momentum.
Under his leadership, South Melbourne weren’t merely competing, they were setting standards. And when the challenge grew even greater, he embraced it.
"There are moments in life where reality surpasses even the most beautiful dreams,” he wrote via X. “That is exactly what I experienced over the past 12 months when I was brave enough to take on a challenge at a time when relegation was a very real possibility.
“What followed exceeded anything I could have imagined. In such a short space of time, we achieved a remarkable turnaround of winning a historic 10th Dockerty Cup, securing an inaugural Championship, and reaching the Grand Final of the prestigious inaugural OFC Professional League.
“I hold my head high with immense pride in what I have achieved and the success I was able to deliver. I poured my heart, commitment, and sacrifice into this journey every single day. ”
“From the moment I accepted the challenge, my focus was on transforming belief into results and helping build a team capable of competing for and winning trophies. Taking the risk to implement an intense, attacking style of football required courage, commitment, and belief from everyone involved.
“Together, we transformed a team fighting for survival into one competing for and winning major honours while playing a brand of football that inspired people and created lasting memories.
“Throughout this journey, I always sought to conduct myself with respect, humility, and professionalism. Whether dealing with opposition coaches, players, match officials, the media, or supporters, I remained committed to representing my values and the game in the right way.
“To my coaching staff, thank you for your loyalty, professionalism, friendship, and countless hours of hard work. Every success we shared was built on your dedication and unwavering support.
“To the players, thank you for believing in the vision, embracing the challenge, and giving everything for one another. You were the driving force behind every achievement and it was a privilege to lead such a committed group.
“To the supporters, thank you for your passion, belief, and incredible support throughout the journey. You embraced our style of football and helped create an atmosphere that made every achievement even more special.
“While this chapter has come to an end, the memories, relationships, and achievements will remain with me forever. I leave with immense gratitude, knowing that together we achieved far more than many thought possible. Thank you.”
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