Photo: New Knights coach Ahmed Abdaltam sits with former Knights coach Nick Harrison at South Hobart on Sunday [PlessPix]
Glenorchy Knights have sacked coach Nick Harrison and have today appointed Ahmed Abdaltam as his replacement.
Harrison is the second coaching casualty of the Premier League season following the dismissal by Olympia of Chris Hey three weeks ago.
Ironically, the Knights registered their first league win of the season only yesterday when they beat Beachside 3-2 away at Sandown Park to move off the foot of the ladder and into sixth place.
Glenorchy Knights president Zac Baltic announced the appointment of Abdaltam, a former player with the club, a few minutes ago.
He said Harrison had been asked to step down but had declined, so the club committee had taken the decision to dismiss him.
Baltic said he hoped Harrison would stay with the club in some other capacity, possibly even as a committee member.
He said the players had also asked for a change of coach and the decision had to be made sooner rather than later because there comes a point of no return.
Abdaltam had a distinguished playing career. He played professionally in Greece and Egypt before coming to Australia.
He has had coaching positions previously with Juventus, Olympia and Metro.
Harrison took over at Glenorchy Knights following the departure of previous coach Eamonn Kelly last season and was appointed again this year.
He had said after yesterday’s win that his position was not secure and that club president Zac Baltic had not been able to give him an assurance that he would remain as coach.
