Avondale turned to him when they needed him - less than a year later, he leaves a champion

Jonatan Germano has left Avondale FC less than a year after stepping into the senior coaching role and guiding the club to the 2026 NPL VIC championship.

The former A-League midfielder took charge following the departure of long-serving coach Zoran Markovski in September last year, initially leading Avondale into the Australian Championship before overseeing his first full NPL VIC campaign in 2026.

It was a natural appointment for someone who already knew the club inside out - Germano had previously represented Avondale as a player before moving into its football program as technical director, establishing himself as a popular figure within the club.

But just days after reaching the summit, Avondale have confirmed the two will part ways.

“The role of Senior Coach is never an easy one, but Shony has led our boys through the highs and challenges of the NPL season, ultimately guiding them to the Champions Trophy,” Avondale said.

It brings an end to a short but successful chapter for Germano, one that began with Avondale turning to a familiar face when they needed a new leader and ended with him delivering a Championship.