‘I’m incredibly honoured’ - Former Town loanee becomes head coach in Australia

Former Ipswich Town loanee Patrick Kisnorbo has been named the new head coach of Melbourne Victory, signing a three-year deal.

The 43-year-old replaces Tony Popovic, who failed to agree to an extension with the club after taking Victory to this year's grand final, which they lost to Central Coast Mariners.

Kisnorbo returns to Australia after being sacked by French club Troyes in December last year, having been relegated from Ligue 1 and winning just three of 40 games in charge.

He has previously managed in the A-League with Melbourne City, where he guided them to two league titles in back-to-back seasons.

“I’m incredibly humbled and honoured to be appointed as the Head Coach of Melbourne Victory,” Kisnorbo said.

“The club has a rich history, an expectation for success, not to mention an incredibly passionate and loyal fan base, one that I have admired for so long and that I want to make proud and deliver success for.

“Significant building blocks have been set over the past few years in the Club’s A-League Men’s and Academy programs and I am looking to set the bar even higher for every player and staff member that steps out on the pitch with the Melbourne Victory badge on their chest.

“Our brand of football will reflect what you have come to expect of Melbourne Victory sides. We will be bold and brave, play attacking, quick football and I will have my team ready for any challenge that stands in our way.

Kisnorbo will work with former Town player Ben Folami, who has been at the AAMI Park since leaving the Blues in the summer of 2021.

In total, he made four appearances during his loan spell at Ipswich when Mick McCarthy signed him from Leeds United in January 2013.

Paul Gerrard has been a goalkeeping coach at a number of clubs. (Image: PA)

Elsewhere, fellow former Town loanee Paul Gerrard has become the new goalkeeping coach at League One side Peterborough United.

The 51-year-old was previously with Carlisle United before his departure from Brunton Park in the summer of 2023.

Gerrard has worked with Posh manager Darren Ferguson and assistant manager Kieran Scarff before at Doncaster Rovers.

He made five appearances for the Blues during his loan spell from Everton in 2002.