The world of Australian football was rocked this week by the sudden departure of Patrick Kisnorbo from his head coaching role at Melbourne Victory. In a move that blindsided the A-League Men club, Kisnorbo has swiftly transitioned to a new post as assistant coach with Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos.
Kisnorbo’s exit comes a mere six months into what was meant to be a three-year contract with Victory. The 43-year-old had guided the club to the Australia Cup final and a strong start to the ALM season, with the team sitting third on the table. His abrupt decision to walk away after just seven games has left Victory scrambling to chart a new course.
A Return to Familiar Ground
In joining Yokohama F. Marinos, Kisnorbo reunites with the City Football Group, the global football conglomerate that owns Melbourne City – the club where he achieved his greatest coaching success to date. Kisnorbo led City to their maiden A-League championship in 2021 before departing for an ill-fated stint in charge of French Ligue 1 side Troyes.
That tenure proved disastrous, with Troyes suffering relegation and Kisnorbo managing just three wins from 40 matches in charge. His decision to return to the City Football Group fold, albeit in an assistant capacity, offers an opportunity to rebuild his coaching reputation in a stable, well-resourced environment.
An Illustrious Lineage
At Yokohama, Kisnorbo will work under head coach Steve Holland and become the latest in a long line of Australians to ply their trade with the J1 League outfit. The Marinos have previously employed the likes of Ange Postecoglou, Kevin Muscat and Harry Kewell in coaching roles, underlining the strong links between the Japanese and Australian games.
I can’t wait to begin this incredible journey with everyone. I look forward to supporting manager Steve Holland as he strives for success on the pitch and fosters a culture of excellence and teamwork.
– Patrick Kisnorbo
Whither Victory?
For Melbourne Victory, Kisnorbo’s exit leaves the club at a crossroads. Assistant coach Arthur Diles has been thrust into the role of interim boss as the Victory hierarchy weigh up their long-term options. With the team in a promising position on the pitch and a passionate fan base to satisfy, securing the right permanent appointment will be critical.
In the short term, Diles oversaw a creditable 1-1 draw with crosstown rivals Melbourne City over the weekend. That result steadied the ship somewhat, but whether Diles is viewed as a legitimate candidate for the top job remains to be seen.
- Short-term stability under Diles is Victory’s immediate priority
- The club will undertake a thorough recruitment process for a new permanent manager
- Securing a coach who can build on Kisnorbo’s promising start will be key
As the dust settles on a tumultuous week, Melbourne Victory finds itself at an unexpected juncture. Patrick Kisnorbo’s tenure promised much but ultimately proved all too brief. For the former Socceroo, the chance to further his coaching development in a world-class setup with Yokohama was too good to pass up. Victory, meanwhile, must go back to the drawing board as they seek to appoint a manager who can lead the club into an uncertain future.
