Michael Valkanis was appointed as the new assistant coach of Belgian club Open in January 2022. The Australian of Greek descent was born in Melbourne and began his career as a defender for a team from the south of the city, before leaving for Greece at the age of 22.
He was one of the oldest players to make a debut for the Socceroos and remains his only game for the national team. He has never built a team, served mainly as an assistant and all his experience as a head coach amounts to three short stints as a substitute.