Victory in good form even now, can improve further: Geri

Victory's new coach Gergely Geri has praised the team's present form and emphasized that even greater progress is achievable. 

Slovakian coach Geri, who arrived in Maldives last Thursday, was appointed as Victory's coach on a recommendation from former National Team coach István Urbányi.

At the event to launch Victory's new Exco and introduce the team's new foreign signings, Geri kicked off his speech by acknowledging Urbányi.

Geri said that he had researched Maldivian football when Urbányi had first mentioned Victory's offer. Before officially assuming the post, he watched two Victory matches on TV. Victory had been coached for these two matches, and the last match against Odi Sports, by former leading forward Adam Abdul Latheef (Lahchey). 

"The team played well in those matches. I saw several players with strong potential," Geri said. 

Victory Vice President Ibrahim Nazim said that Geri and Urbányi will work together to build up the team again. 

Nazim said that Victory had initially worked to assign Urbányi as a coach. However, Urbányi was unable to commit to the post at the time, he said. 

"Regardless, we are getting immense support from Urbányi in our technical team. God willing, we are working on having Urbányi join us here to work with us for some time," Nazim revealed. 

This is Geri's first coaching experience outside of Europe. 

"Victory is a historic club, my hope is to lead the team to success," Geri said. 

Geri began his coaching career in 2014. He has worked with various clubs in Slovakia over the past ten years. 

Victory's first match under Geri will be on October 21, against New Radiant, following the current break in the Dhivehi Premier League.