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Former Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick barks out orders to his players. AAP Image/Joe Castro
Melbourne Victory today sensationally parted ways with foundation coach Ernie Merrick, one game into their current Asian Champions League campaign, with speculation increasing that the club will make a bold move for the services of Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou.
Merrick, who had one year left on his contract, lost the support of club staff and new chairman Anthony Di Pietro. The Victory are believed to be conducting an internal review of all facets of its operations, including a full overhaul of its senior coaching staff.
This follows their disappointing end to the A-League season, which ended in the first week of the finals series with defeat to Gold Coast United, and the 5-1 loss to Gamba Osaka in its opening fixture of their Asian Champions League campaign.
Victory youth coach Mehmet Durakovic will be promoted as caretaker coach for the remainder of the ACL
Following this news and on the eve of the A-League grand final, speculation increasingly links Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou with a long-term deal at the Victory as a replacement for Merrick. Postecoglou hails from Melbourne and coached South Melbourne to NSL success.
While Postecoglou has stated he wants to create a football dynasty in Brisbane, the financial plight of the club, which will go into the hands of the FFA following Sunday’s grand final, has only increased the talk of a possible move to the more secure Melbourne Victory.
Retiring captain Kevin Muscat is set to join the coaching staff full-time as an assistant, although it remains unlikely he will move into the head coach role right away.
Meanwhile, Merrick has been linked with a cross-code switch to the AFL, as a consultant with the Collingwood Magpies Football Club.
Watch this space.
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