Ben Brookfield, who also appeared for City in a brief four-game stint in July and August during this season’s NPL Tasmania state league season, was appointed head coach for the 2017 season.

An academy-style coach specialist since he was 16, Brookfield believes he has the technical nous and the right system to drag the club out of the mid-table mire.

“I am over the moon – I just can’t wait to get stuck into it now,” he said.

“I just want to start the preseason and start to implementing my style of play.

“At first, it’ll be different style of play that they have been used to and different techniques I’ve had from coaching in other clubs.

“It’s something I am really keen to do and implement a system rather than play just decent individuals in a side.”

The club decided not to renew Lino Sciulli’s two-year tenure, parting ways with City’s long-term servant in favour of a fresh face. 

City earned consecutive fifth-place finishes over the past two seasons.

Sciulli had brought the club off the bottom of what were disastrous 2013 and 2014 state league campaigns including a winless year. 

But Brookfield felt he earned the job for good work inside the club this year.

“I was rewarded putting in some hard work with the juniors and assisting the City team. That’s what I love doing – it’s my passion, so it doesn’t feel like a job,” he said.

Raised in Leeds, Brookfield headed to Newcastle to earn his coaching education that included an academy position at St James’ Park.

He landed in Sydney and found a similar job at its AC Milan Academy, believing the technical coaching experiences can make a definite impact at City next season.

“The way we can bridge the gap is to play a system and play as a team,” he said. 

“It won’t be about individuals – it’s about using that unit and going forward in an attacking, aggressive style.”

A move to Tasmania came about when Brookfield heard the need for visa players, but knee injuries has restricted his own playing days.

Brookfield is not fussed over City’s restrictive budget compared to big-spending southern clubs. 

Encouraged by Devonport Strikers’ silverware, he feels scoring goals under the right attacking structures will turn heads among the squad.

“Last year was more of let's stop the bleeding, but next year’s going to be let’s cause some havoc,” Brookfield said.

“The attacking players we’ve got, particularly the young players, have no fear.”