Chipperfield is a member of the 'Golden Generation' and played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups in a 68-cap career for Australia.

The 42-year-old, who hung up his boots in 2012, will assist manager Andy Ladner at FC United Zurich who compete in Switzerland's Promotion League.

The club, which was founded in 1985, are currently bottom of the 16-team third tier competition.

 


 

Chipperfield explained how it was through an Australian connection that the opportunity came about.

"I was talking to Andrew Orsatti before Christmas saying I was looking to get involved in something," he told FourFourTwo.

"He made contact with Brendan Schwab and also somebody from this club and it went from there. Last summer, June here, the Player's Association in Switzerland took over this club.

"The idea of that was that kids who come through club academies and then get released from a club and have nowhere to go [can come here], which is why they took over this club to give these players a place to play.

"It's a good project but obviously the first part of the season didn't go too well. They've only got six points from 17 games. There's 13 games to go and we're 12 points from safety so it's not going to be an easy task.

"But for me it's a good experience, it's good to get into coaching and it's a good standard. We're looking to bring in a couple of players now. Hopefully we can strengthen the squad and see how the remainder of the season goes.

"For me it's a good project helping young players that have been released other clubs. The Promotion League is a good standard for these players to play."

Since retiring Chipperfield has dabbled in running coaching clinics in Australia and has also worked in real estate in Switzerland and as a player agent.

"I've been trying to find my next path in life," he said.

"It's not easy after your career to find the next stage, especially when my kids are here in Swizterland."

Chipperfield admits he is more suited to an assistant role than as a head coach.

"I'm more quieter and reserved and closer to the players," he said.

"Where as the coach has to be hard and things like that. I think I can help with the young kids also, it's mostly with younger kids that I want to focus on. That's why this project's good, most of the players are 17, 18, 19 20. It's a young team."