Arthur Papas

Early life

Papas began learning his coaching skills at the age of 16 while a player and started learning full-time after retiring as a player due to six knee operations at the age of 25. He went back to university and gained a few coaching licenses. Then in 2008 Papas furthered his coaching education at a KNVB-run coaching course in Canberra. He stayed there for two years.

Arthur also has a strong academic coaching background: he currently holds an AFC PRO Coaching License (2014), has a Masters in Sports Coaching (2012), has an FFA Football Conditioning Certificate (2011) and a Bachelor of Applied Science - Exercise (2009).

Oakleigh Cannons

In the late 2010 season Papas, then 30 years of age, was handed the Head Coach position at Victorian Premier League club Oakleigh Cannons FC. He was the youngest ever coach in the Victorian Premier League. He coached his first match for the Oakleigh on 18 February 2011 against Northcote City SC, the match ended 3–2 to Oakleigh. He then lead the team into the VPL playoffs in which the club made it to the Grand Final against Green Gully SC in which they lost 3–2 on 3 September 2011. After taking Cannons to the Grand Final Papas was awarded the coach of the year award by Football Federation Victoria.

Newcastle Jets

After the season ended with Cannons Papas joined Newcastle Jets as the Head Coach of the youth league team and Assistant coach of the first team. After the 2011-12 A-League National Youth League season ended Jets youth team ended in eighth place, with a 5–5–8 record. In terms of assistant coaching, after the 2011-12 A-League Jets first team ended in seventh. After the 2011–12 Australian football season Papas resigned.

India

After resigning from Newcastle Jets, Papas signed with the All India Football Federation to become the AIFF-FIFA Navi Mumbai Regional Academy Head Coach based in Vashi, which would be the first of many Academies made under AIFF and FIFA for under-14 players in India. He stated that he came to India because "I received an invitation to join All India Football Federation from Technical Director Rob Baan who had implemented a philosophy in Australia which focused on the total restructure of the Youth Development System." and that "India is a country which is waiting to make its mark in World Football. Hence, the AIFF have joined forces with FIFA and PSV Eindhoven and have very big plans to shape the future by placing a major focus on the development of their Youth System. Personally it's a huge challenge – the challenge of developing a 'sleeping giant' into a powerful force."

Papas then had his position switched by the AIFF on 22 May 2012 after Raymond Libregts declined the offer to coach the India national under-23 football team and Pailan Arrows of the I-League, the team that grooms young players for professional careers. He was selected to coach the under-23 and Pailan Arrows team for the 2012-13 I-League.

He made his managerial debut for Pailan Arrows against Delhi United during the 2012 Durand Cup on 25 August 2012 in which Pailan drew the match 2–2. However Pailan were officially knocked-out of the Durand Cup after drawing their second match against Air India on 28 August 2012.

Dempo

On 28 May 2013, Papas joined 3 time I-League Champions Dempo Sports Club, Goa on 3-year deal replacing Armando Colaco who served the Panjim based club for 13 Years winning numerous trophies. Papas left the club following a 5-1 defeat to East Bengal F.C.. During his time in India, Papas also spent time as assistant coach of Indian Super League franchise FC Goa. He left mid-way through the 2014 Indian Super League season due to medical reasons.

Return to Oakleigh Cannons

Papas returned to his first coaching role in Oakleigh Cannons following the resignation of Miron Bleiberg due to a poor start to the 2015 National Premier Leagues Victoria. His major achievement was guiding the club through the qualifying rounds to the 2015 FFA Cup. After the Cannons were knocked out of the FFA Cup by Hume City in the quarter final, Papas resigned as head coach of the side.

Green Gully SC

In October 2015, Green Gully SC announced that they had appointed Papas as the manager for the 2016 NPL Victoria season. Papas managed a famous victory over A-League side Central Coast Mariners in the Round of 32 of the 2016 FFA Cup, when Liam Boland scored a long-range 92nd minute winner at Green Gully Reserve. Green Gully made it to the quarter finals of the FFA Cup, before being knocked out by Canberra Olympic FC.

Under Papas, Green Gully finished fifth in the league, with the club returning to finals after a three season absence. They were eventually eliminated by Oakleigh Cannons FC in the elimination finals.

Ettifaq FC

On 23 February 2017, it was announced that Papas would be leaving his position as manager of Green Gully to join Saudi Professional League club Ettifaq FC as assistant coach to former Villareal coach Eelco Schattorie for the remainder of the Saudi Professional League season.

Philosophy

Papas decided to take in the philosophy of former Australia U20 coach Jan Versleijen. He wants his players to be pro-active on the pitch and for football specific training in all areas. Papas also likes to be cool and calm with his players and form a bond with them, "It's important to remain cool, calm and collected to solve problems rather than based on emotions," noted Papas. "And with players your relationship must be one of honesty and trust."

Coach

Statistics accurate as of 6 March 2015

Oakleigh Cannons

Runner-up:

Individual