Magilton appointed Melbourne coach

Published Saturday, 07 January 2012
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Former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton has been named manager of Australian side Melbourne Victory.

Magilton, who was recently interviewed for the NI job, will take over as interim coach of Victory until the end of the current A-League season.

"It all happened pretty quickly," the 42-year-old said, explaining how he was contacted by the club on Thursday before flying to Melbourne on Saturday.

"I got a phone call, the opportunity arose and I snapped it up.

"I am sitting here because the season thus far has not been as productive as we would all have hoped, but that is not to say that the second half of the season can't be great."

Magilton has made 52 international appearances and previously managed QPR and Ipswich where he also played for seven years.

He lost out on the NI job to Michael O'Neill, who he was assistant to at Shamrock Rovers, but says he has the credentials to lead Victory.

He continued: "I am fearless, I am meticulous, I am astute, I am very much hands-on and I like to get amongst the players and be involved in the training aspect of the set-up. And I am a pretty amiable guy.

"But the immediate effect I can have on the team is confidence, morale in the dressing room and to lift the confidence and morale of the supporters.

"That is something that I am easily equipped to do as it is in my nature."

Kevin Muscat will lead Victory in Saturday's home match against Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park and then act as Magilton's assistant for the remainder of the season.

© UTV News
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MICHAEL LAW
This past weekend was a massive one in both rugby and in football as both Leinster and Chelsea became European Champions.
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