German-born Marco Kurz says he’s honoured to be appointed as the new coach of A-League powerhouse Melbourne Victory.
Kurz, who replaces the departed Kevin Muscat, joins Victory after his contract with Adelaide United wasn’t renewed after two seasons in South Australia.
“It’s an honour to be named as head coach of Melbourne Victory, a big club with a strong history, passionate fan base and true drive for success,” Kurz said in a statement on Friday.
“I have got to know Melbourne Victory from afar and had tremendous respect for them during that time so it is exciting.
“During the interview process we had aligned beliefs about the direction forward which was very important.
“I can’t wait to join the team and get underway.”
Kurz will start his new job within a fortnight after the Victory’s long-serving Muscat and the club parted at the end of the last A-League season.
The 50-year-old Kurz won the FFA Cup at Adelaide last year and took United to the finals in both league seasons.
Melbourne Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro said he was thrilled at Kurz’s appointment.
“Coupled with his international and domestic experience, Marco demonstrated outstanding qualities throughout (the search process),” he said in a statement.
“Importantly, his passion for success and desire to win is aligned with our clubs’ ambition.
“We … are confident Marco will do an outstanding job in the high-pressure role.”
Kurz, who has managed in Germany’s top and second tier competitions, was renowned in Adelaide as a shrewd tactician.
But he left Adelaide citing a lack of shared vision with United hierarchy.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Kurz is great from the intensity point of view and making sure his players put in, thats whats lacking in the other coaches they keep giving hall passes to every half talented player, even quarter talented overseas players and allow them to slack off. From the point of view of development of players, Muscat has been doing the reverse, wrecking good players with suspicions of grog . I can see Kurz fixing that and it It will be interesting to see if Kurz can fix Troisi up as well. The rest of his coaching has question marks, he does have the dirty side like Muscat but Muscat is much smarter in doing the dirty on the right player. I dont understand why you would target Bonevacia, a player who is half asleep during a normal game and it backfired on them. Is his recuitment a problem, or was it Adelaides budget.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
So does every club now have their coach lined up for next season? For the life of me I can't recall who is coaching Melbourne City. Kurz did a lot without too much talent at Adelaide United, will be curious to see what he can do at Victory.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
It's funny that the way I express my opinion is only an issue when I mention Roar. Never any complaints when I'm criticising my own team's recruiting....
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Check the club website TK, nine signings announced over the last few days, and the pre-season game details are there too. They haven't released full details for Memberships as yet, but have announced some packages. Cheaper by 10% I think they said, also Suncorp only (10 game) or Dolphin only (3 games) plus the normal 3 and 5 game options.
TK
Guest
Lionheart I didn't realise we had 11 players on the books yet! If we are playing three matches at dolphins stadium this year as reported I expect our membership will be cheaper and there will be some sort of travel allowance for the southside members? Or as one of my southside member mates mused...maybe they'll be the byes!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Obviously not the diplomatic core. It’s not a matter of your opinion not being liked, it’s more a matter of how you express it. Lesson one in my career, long ago learnt. And if it’s me you’re accusing of responding with ‘personal attacks’ please expand and quote back to me so I can offer an apology.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Well that's a good start - any chance of watching those games from afar?
Fadida
Roar Rookie
110%? Woo hoo! Sounds very "English". I'm always PC, comes with my career choice. Sometimes however people don't like my opinion and respond with personal attacks :)
Waz
Roar Rookie
This is his ninth club, in 7/8 previous clubs he’s lasted less than two years and only three at the other one. So there is something about Marco that makes him hard to back maybe?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
You two are being very pc today. Roar's new coach said, when he was appointed, that he expected his players to work hard, and give 110%, and he's not waiting around with pre-season, starts on Monday and games with NPL clubs set for the weekends 13 and 20 July and away to regional Gladstone side 27 July. Also announced a tournament with the Jets and Glory on the Gold Coast in late August. Compared to previous seasons, this is completely full-on.
Melange
Guest
Stevo I was thinking exactly the same! Perfect choice for the MV "culture"
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Discretion the better part of valour...well edited
RF
Roar Rookie
Be interesting to see what he does when a club actually backs him. Great appointment in my view.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Great signing
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Not yet convinced by Stajic, and his signing haven’t improved the weakest squad in the league. Merrick is a concern, stubborn to the point of totally inflexible
Redondo
Roar Rookie
The worries are the two unknown quantities and Merrick (who seems a bit too set in his ways). Stajcic should be ok. The rest look good, but who knows...
Richv
Roar Rookie
Pretty good. A few unknowns though. Fowler who is unproven as a coach yet and Talay who is in his first gig at this level.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
So, in the main, a pretty good collection of coaches around the A-League - I won’t mention the war.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
He shouts a lot and scowls a lot. Yes, good fit :)
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Good apppointment. Still dunno why Adelaide sacked him.