OAKLEIGH Cannons have moved quickly to maintain their place as a contender for the Victorian Premier League title after a slew of star signings.
The Cannons have added Irish defender Steven Gray from Dandenong Thunder, South Melbourne star Jesse Krncevic and Springvale White Eagles winger Goran Zoric while retaining most of their 2011 grand final team.
More importantly the Cannons have also found a fitting replacement for departed coach Arthur Papas with Huss Skenderovic taking charge of the side.
Papas, who won the VPL coach of the year award, led the Cannons to an extra-time loss to Green Gully in last season's VPL grand final before his efforts earned him a promotion to the A-League.
He initially scored a football analyst position at Melbourne Heart but last month he was named head coach of Newcastle Jets youth league team.
The 39-year-old Skenderovic studied for his AFC B coaching license with Papas and was also involved during his time with the Cannons.
Skenderovic said the pair shared similar philosophies on the game.
"I came over with him so that if he was head-hunted I would be next in line to take the job on," he said.
"His move away happened sooner rather than later."
Skenderovic said the Cannons had a fine foundation to develop from.
"Arthur has left a foundation for the team to carry on from.
"Not too many people can carry on that task with the same philosophy and level of professionalism associated with him, only a few coaches could take it on."
Skenderovic said he had no doubts he had the ability to take the Cannons back to the VPL finals and on to the championship.
"I'm passionate and have high expectations; I'm going to love this challenge.
"It's something you want to be involved in, it stimulates me.
"I'm a very confident individual; I believe in my own ability."
Despite the Cannons being without a coach since Papas resigned after the grand final, Skenderovic said all the main squad players were re-signed for 2012.
New signing Krncevic was a constant menace in attack for South Melbourne last season while Zoric scored some impressive goals for the White Eagles despite their lowly record.
Skenderovic hailed Gray, who player-coached the Thunder through the final weeks of last season, as the best of his signings because of his professionalism and reliability in defence.
"He is a very professional player, a full-time footballer who wants to get an opportunity in the A-League.
"He loves it in Australia and wants to stay."
With the VPL season pushed back until late March, Skenderovic said his side would play a host of friendly matches in the early months of next year and would be active in the Hellenic Cup.
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