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It was as unceremonious as you’d expect a sacking to be – John Aloisi fired from Melbourne Heart in December 2013 after a 17-game winless run.
As then-chairman Peter Sidwell said: “We’ve all got blood on our hands”.
The blame certainly didn’t fall solely on Aloisi’s shoulders, but it provided an unwanted blemish on a burgeoning coaching career.
Just over a year later, it’s a trip across town – via the popular small screen route – for the former Socceroo, who has been announced as a development coach at Melbourne Victory.
It’s the club’s latest shrewd appointment as they ramp up their emphasis on youth development.
Alongside youth head coach Darren Davies, Aloisi will be tasked with overseeing Victory’s National Youth League and National Premier Leagues sides.
Victory enters the Victoria NPL 1 East for the first time this season, entering a senior team – likely comprised a majority of the current NYL team – and an Under-20s side – which will be used to nurture younger players and create a production line of future A-League prospects.
It’s a production line that we’ve been craving for a number of years and something that will hopefully bear fruit in the next four to five seasons.
Melbourne City also enter the NPL system in 2015, with a senior and Under-20s team in the Victoria NPL 1 West. The two Melbourne sides join Brisbane, Perth, Newcastle and Central Coast, who have established themselves in their respective NPL competitions.
Aloisi will play a key role in mentoring Victory’s latest crop and his influence can’t be underestimated. His football knowledge, coupled with career experiences many of his players dream of, will allow the 39-year-old to offer knowledge that few other coaches can provide.
Having finished his career with Mariners, Sydney FC and Heart, as well as coaching Heart’s NYL team, Aloisi seems a perfect fit for Victory.
And the development element of his new gig will be pivotal in assisting Victory coach Kevin Muscat.
“His appointment is another step towards the development of our own football academy and we’re delighted to welcome him as part of the Melbourne Victory family,” Muscat said.
“John will work solely with our kids, educating the 40 to 45 players aged between 15 and 19 who will form our National Premier League teams.
“Ultimately, we want these kids to be taught ‘the Victory way’ and progress to play senior football for the club.”
Aloisi will become a key component of what is a league-wide push to establish professional academies that enable greater player quality and retention.
It’s a move the Mariners took a couple of years ago – although their setup has since been tarnished – and one that both Sydney teams are determined to adopt in the near future.
The 2015 NPL season will be the first real test of Victory’s youth ambitions. Their campaign begins against Dandenong City on March 7.
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