Signing news: Kurz confirmed as Muscat's successor at Melbourne Victory

Marco Kurz has been appointed Melbourne Victory coach and successor to former boss Kevin Muscat.

Kurz, 50,  joins four-time Hyundai A-League Champions Victory on a two-year deal after leaving former employers Adelaide United at the end of his contract.

The German replaces a legacy figure at the helm in Muscat, who dedicated 14 years of service to Melbourne as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

Muscat won a Premiership (2014/15), two Championships (2014/15 & 2017/18) and an FFA Cup (2015) while at the helm.

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“It’s an honour to be named as Head Coach of Melbourne Victory, a big club with a strong history, passionate fanbase and true drive for success,” Kurz told Melbourne Victory's offical website.

“I’ve got to know Melbourne Victory from afar, and had tremendous respect for them during that time, so it is exciting to join the club.

“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 - who guided FC Kaiserlautern to the Bundesliga in 2010 and also coached at Hoffenheim, Ingolstadt and Fortuna Dusseldorf in his homeland - has spent two seasons in the City of Churches.

He steered the Reds to fifth and fourth place finishes in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons respectively, and guided the club to the FFA Cup Final twice, defeating Sydney FC in the 2018 edition. 

The ex-defender must reshape a squad which is reeling from the departures of Keisuke Honda (released), Carl Valeri (retired), Georg Niedermeier (released) and Kosta Barbarouses (Sydney FC).

“Our panel of experienced football people including Mark Bresciano, Paul Trimboli and Rob Sherman, undertook a comprehensive recruitment process,” said Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro.

“Coupled with his international and domestic experience, Marco demonstrated outstanding qualities throughout. Importantly his passion for success and desire to win is aligned with our clubs’ ambition.

“We look forward to working together to bring excitement and success for the Victory family and are confident Marco will do an outstanding job in the high-pressure role.”

Muscat
Kevin Muscat enjoyed huge success as coach of Victory
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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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