Antonis sorry to see Lavicka depart

Antonis, 18, has broken into the first team after signing a three-year deal with the Sky Blues in July 2010.

Antonis is regarded as one of Australian football's brightest prospects and the Bankstown boy said he owed his rising reputation to Lavicka.

The affable Czech will leave the club at the end of the season after leading Sydney to the premiership and championship double in 2010 and failing to arrest a general slump in the subsequent two seasons.

Antonis said he would be sorry to see the longest-serving coach leave the club.

"I'm really upset to see him go because he was the one who gave me the first opportunity," he said.

"He really is a great coach and a great person.

"Everyone in the squad likes him.

"I will always be grateful to him and I will never forget him.

"He has taught me to be professional and above all to respect each opponent and every team.

"He also has shown me the value of discipline."

Antonis said he was glad to take part in most games for Sydney this season but he would be the first person to acknowledge that he has not yet established himself as a Sydney regular.

"There's still a lot of hard work to be done," he said.

"Every bit of my game needs work."

Antonis is out injured at the moment due to a pulled hamstring in his left leg.

"The treatment is going alright at the moment," he said.

"It's up to the physios when I start training again but hopefully I should be back playing in three or four weeks."