Sergio Raimundo On Hibs, Europa League Success With Spurs, And His Next Step | OneFootball

You were a youth coach at Benfica, managed various clubs, and worked in different roles before arriving at Central Coast Mariners as an assistant manager. How would you describe the early years of your coaching career?

“My early years were largely spent working with under-19s and reserve teams, bridging the gap between youth football and the senior game. A big part of my role was preparing players to make that transition successfully, helping them adapt, develop, and ultimately thrive at senior level.

“That process became something of a specialty for me, working with players on the edge of breaking through, or integrating younger players into senior squads and giving them the tools to flourish. Many of my experiences during that time revolved around nurturing that progression and setting players up to move on to bigger opportunities.”

“It was fantastic. It was a Primavera-level tournament, so again it sat right on that transition between youth and senior football. Several players earned professional contracts off the back of that competition, which made it even more rewarding.

“At Lusitana, especially working in Senegal, the job was incredibly hands-on. You had to do everything, organising logistics, ensuring players were looked after day-to-day, managing recruitment, and travelling across the country to identify talent. It was not just coaching, it was building a structure from the ground up.

“In some ways, it was more demanding than Benfica. At Benfica, the standards are incredibly high, Champions League level, but you have a full structure in place. At Lusitana, you had to create everything yourself. Sometimes that even meant teaching players basic life skills, like how to eat properly in formal settings during international tournaments.

“Winning that competition was especially meaningful because we became the first African team to do so. We were up against strong opposition with top coaches, and it showed what was possible with the right approach and commitment.”

At Central Coast Mariners, you worked with the under-20s before moving into the first team alongside Nick Montgomery. What are your main memories from that period?

“I actually joined because of Nick. We met during our UEFA coaching course and stayed in touch. We started together with the under-20s and reserve teams, managing around 40 players across both squads.

“That experience was invaluable. We had to constantly adapt, sometimes we would have 32 players, sometimes 40, depending on first-team needs. Players would move up at the last minute, so we had to be flexible and responsive. It really developed our ability to manage large groups and adjust in real time.

“What made it special was seeing that pathway come full circle. When we moved into the first team, around 10 of those players came with us. Many have since gone on to have successful careers internationally. Watching players you have developed progress to that level is incredibly rewarding.”

You went on to win the A-League Championship in 2023. How satisfying was it to achieve that success, especially in such a competitive league?

“It was hugely satisfying. In our first season, we reached the cup final for the first time in the club’s history, even though we narrowly lost. The following season, we went one step further and won the championship.

“What made it even more special was the context. We had the lowest budget in the league and the youngest squad, with an average age of just 22. We were clear underdogs, but that worked in our favour. Most people in the country were supporting us because of the way we played.

“We built a team with a strong identity. Players like Jason Cummings revitalised their careers, and others who had not succeeded elsewhere found a platform with us. We were a group that people did not expect much from, but we proved what was possible.”

The Grand Final win itself, 6–1 against Melbourne City, was extraordinary. What made that performance so special?

“It was an incredible night. Melbourne City were a top team with strong players and staff, so it was a real test. But what stood out was our mentality.

“We never played to protect a 1–0 lead. We always wanted more. That attacking mindset connected with the fans. In Australia, the sporting culture values entertainment and high-scoring games, so we embraced that. We wanted to give people a spectacle every time we stepped onto the pitch.

“There was, of course, strong tactical and technical preparation behind it, but the key was playing without fear. That approach allowed us to deliver one of the most memorable games in the league’s history.”

You then moved to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership. How do you reflect on that experience?

“We would have loved more time there. That was always the plan. It was a challenging but valuable experience.

“The Scottish Premiership is very competitive and physically demanding. It is a different culture compared to Australia, with more emphasis on strength, discipline, and intensity. Every challenge is full commitment.

“We believed we could make a real impact, especially with a full transfer window, but unfortunately, we did not get that opportunity. Still, it was a great learning experience and a step up in many ways. It is a strong league with quality across multiple teams, not just the top clubs.”

After Hibernian, you joined Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur. How did that move come about, and what was it like working with him?

“It came as a surprise, to be honest. I did not know Ange personally beforehand, but he must have followed our work in Australia. What we achieved there, especially with limited resources, probably stood out.

“Joining Tottenham was a completely different environment. Suddenly, you have everything in place, resources and structure, and the expectation is simply to perform.

“Working with Ange was a fantastic experience. I genuinely consider him one of the best coaches in the world. His achievements across different countries speak for themselves, and being part of that environment was a huge learning opportunity.”

Winning the Europa League with Tottenham was a historic achievement. What does that mean to you?

“It is something that will stay with me forever. Tottenham had not won that trophy for over 40 years, so to be part of that success is incredibly special.

“But I also value every step of the journey. Central Coast Mariners, Hibernian, even shorter experiences all contribute to your growth. There is always something to learn and improve.

“That said, winning a major European trophy is something that will be remembered long after we are gone. It is a proud moment, and one I believe we can replicate in the future.”

“The key is finding the right environment, one that supports our style, our ideas, and our ambition to win.

“Even in short spells, like at Nottingham Forest, we could see something building. The results did not always reflect it, but internally, we knew progress was being made. The foundations were there.

“Moving forward, it is about joining a club that believes in the process and gives us the time to implement it properly. With the right backing, I am confident we can achieve success again.”