Former FFV coaches of the year Bob McGuiness and John Kyrgios have departed from WPL heavyweights Bulleen Lions and Box Hill United respectively.
The changes indicate the WNPL will look vastly different than anything before it from both a club and coaching perspective now, as the only two established WPL clubs unchanged in the new format will head into 2016 with new managers at the helm.
McGuiness became synonymous with the Bulleen name since joining in mid-2013, winning the WPL Coach of the Year that season and leading the club to Women’s State Knockout Cup glory in 2014 and almost repeating the feat in 2015 with Team App Cup grand final defeat to Boroondara Eagles.
However, the club was unable to emulate its preliminary final appearance of 2014, finishing sixth in 2015.
McGuiness has also previously led the FFV’s Emerging Athlete Program and was assistant at Melbourne Victory W-League.
He will be succeeded by Bulleen men’s assistant coach Ricardo Martinez.
Kyrgios was signed by Box Hill after claiming the WPL Coach of the Year last season at Heidelberg United, leading the club to a losing grand final against South Melbourne.
In an attempt to return the former powerhouses to the summit of Victorian football – having last won the league last in 2012 – Kyrgios struggled to instil consistency in the squad following the departure of star midfielder Ellie Brush to America, and Melissa Barbieri’s World Cup duties.
The club has posted applications for the vacant role on its website and social media pages.