Michael Zakoski wanted to do something special and make himself known in the pursuit of his football dream.
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So the aspiring coach left a winning Canberra Olympic side and moved to Spain, all during a global pandemic.
The 24-year-old was in charge of Olympic's under-23's side before his departure, leading them to the Premier League division's minor premiership.
Zakoski has taken the reins at CD Almunecar City's reserve-grade squad, who are a semi-professional club in Malaga.
The young manager has been looking to make it as a first-grade coach here, saying it was something he "had to do" to get noticed.
"It has been good, weather is nice, football is good... it is what you come for," he said.
"This is an opportunity to close the gap. I have taken the reserve-grade side to a successful final series and produced some great players, but I am still so far away from a first team gig.
"Being 24, you have to do something special as most coaches are a lot older, this is something I had to do to bridge the gap."
Although moving to sunny Spain to coach football sounds ideal, it's far from it amid a global health crisis.
Spain is experiencing a second-wave of coronavirus and recorded more than 10,000 cases overnight. But Zakoski isn't worried and insists the club is taking all the necessary precautions to keep players and staff safe.
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"It was a little concerning at first, but it's something I really wanted to do," Zakoski said.
"It is a legal obligation to wear masks, travelling to and from matches masks must be worn and before we enter the pitch, our temperature must be checked when walking in, we have to sanitize frequently."
Zakoski leaves behind a team who is pushing for a title, spearheaded by his younger brother Nick. He had plenty of encouraging words for Olympic, who'll clash with Belconnen United at Deakin Stadium on Saturday.
"They are a great bunch of lads, I wanted to leave on winning terms. It was hard to leave mid-season, but I have full confidence in my team," Michael said.
"I have full faith that our boys can go and lift the trophy this year, I want them to finish what we started. I wish them nothing but the best moving forward."
NPL CANBERRA: Championship Series round two
Group A: Saturday at Deakin Stadium - Belconnen United v Tigers FC at 1.30pm, Canberra Croatia v Gungahlin United at 3.45pm.
Group B: Sunday at Riverside Stadium - Woden-Weston v Monaro Panthers at 1.30pm, Tuggeranong United v Canberra Olympic at 3.45pm.
NPLW: Saturday - Canberra Olympic v Tuggeranong United at O'Connor Enclosed, 3pm. Sunday - Canberra Croatia v Gungahlin United at Deakin Stadium, 2.30pm, Wagga City Wanderers v Woden-Weston at Gissing Oval, 3pm, Canberra United Academy v Belconen United at Hawker Football Centre, 4.20pm.
