Ex-Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton will coach A-League club Melbourne Victory until the end of the season.
Magilton arrived in Melbourne on Saturday morning, to be greeted by Victory board member Ian McLeod.
He has signed a deal with the club ahead of the Victory’s clash with Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Saturday night, and will be officially unveiled as coach at a media conference later on Saturday.
Magilton is expected to take over coaching duties early next week, with assistant coach Kevin Muscat to take charge for the Jets match.
Magilton, 42, a decorated Northern Ireland international as a player, spent three years at English Championship club Ipswich Town manager with no hard success.
He also spent six months at Championship club Queen’s Park Rangers, before leaving after reports of a bust-up with a player.
Most recently he has been an assistant at Irish club Shamrock Rovers, and was shortlisted but missed out on the Northern Ireland manager’s job which went to Michael O’Neill this week.
Magilton had a successful playing career at Southampton, Oxford United and Ipswich as a ball-playing midfielder over a 15-year span.
He takes over the Victory from Mehmet Durakovic, who was axed on Friday just seven months and 14 matches into his tenure.
It is understood Magilton’s deal runs until the end of the current A-League season, before the Victory board make a more permanent decision on their long-term coach.
The Victory sit eighth in the 10-team competition, with losses in their past three matches.
Chairman, Anthony Di Pietro, made the following statement at today’s press conference:
“On behalf of the Melbourne Victory Board of Directors, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the club has appointed former Northern Ireland international, Jim Magilton, as its Head Coach until the end of the 2011/12A-League season.”
“Jim was not only an outstanding footballer, but he also possesses considerable managerial experience, having coached at Ipswich Town in the English Championship for 3 seasons, before moving on to current English Premier League outfit, Queens Park Rangers.”
“Jim started his career as a youth player at Liverpool, before building a successful senior career at clubs such as Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and finally, Ipswich Town, where he hung up his boots and moved straight into the role as the clubs Head Coach in 2006.”
“In his 700-game playing career, including 52 international caps, Jim served as captain of every club he played for, not to mention his country, Northern Ireland.”
“Most importantly though, Jim is an ambitious manager, who is well credentialed, holding a UEFA pro-license and we’re very excited to welcome him to Melbourne Victory.”
“I’m thrilled to have been given this opportunity until the end of the season,” the 42 year-old Magilton said.
“The facilities here are amazing and some of the best I’ve seen, but all of that means nothing if you don’t put the results on the board and win games of football.”
“I know Melbourne Victory is a big club and they’ve had great success in the past, so I’m really keen to try and help them turn around their campaign over the next 4 months,” he added.
Football United
Guest
he was a decent playmaker in his day so i hope he's not inclined to just tell players to hoof it downfield. If it doesn't work out it is only an interim appointment (our seasons stuffed anyway). Hopefully dipietro can go for an actual international search then and actually look at candidates from south America and ASIA, not just pick up the first bum who says he's from yourop.
Roger
Guest
I'm quietly optimistic. This could be a very good signing. Let's see what he brings!
Mick
Guest
I never heard of him but if a player does not play in the top 6 or 7 clubs I never remember them anyway. Now that he has been appointed I think it is best for MV if he is only an interim coach, any longer & he will get the sack too
Dean
Guest
Given the popularity of the EPL amongst Australian football fans, I'm surprised more haven't heard of Jim Magilton. I recall Magilton as a strong midfielder, who was hard-working and possessed a diverse range of accurate passing skills - from neat passing in confined spaces to the incisive through ball to split open a defence. Magilton to "Le Tiss" usually resulted in a goal a the Dell. Whilst MVFC's attack is starting to work well together, Magilton's midfield nous must bring organisation & structure to MVFC's defensive midfield and I'm sure (hoping) we won't see too much game time in the future for the 2 DMs who played last night.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Yes I was somewhat a bit hash on the guy in my previous comments. However, I've since changed my mind after watching the FOX interview----he came across as a real pro. So he may be just what Melb Vic needs a strong man personality and he certainly has that quality judging by what I saw in that interview. He even has Muskie shaking in his boots and that can't be a bad thing.
pete4
Guest
My first impressions of Magilton are very good. From the interview yesterday seems well spoken knows his stuff and what's required of him and is motivated to do well until the season's end... might do well here
Kasey
Guest
Apparently headbutted one of his own players in the dressing room once..should get on well with Musky;) Have to say I'm underwhelmed by this appointment, but they're not my team so what I think hardly matters does it. Its going to be interesting watching how Foz writes "f*cking British long-ball crap managers" in as PC way as possible in the coming days:) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1234340/Under-QPR-manager-Jim-Magilton-faces-axe-headbutt-Akos-Buzsaky-threatens-press-charges.html
Stu
Guest
Ol Kev might end up with a 100% coaching record in the A-League. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.