"I’m not too stressed about Melbourne Victory," Deng said.

After nearly half-an-hour discussing his personal relationship with domestic violence, in support of the men's health campaign he promotes, 'The Line', discussing football arrives as a welcome relief.

Melbourne Victory have just announced the appointment of one of the hottest - and suitably, most fiery - coaches in A-League football, Marco Kurz.

The German is legendary for leading a threadbare Adelaide United outfit to an FFA Cup victory last season, and within a hair's breadth of a Grand Final appearance.

He was controversially ousted in favour of a Dutch youth-development specialist, with the club's sight-unseen Dutch owners preferring a less demanding, more understanding coach at the helm.

But it's resulted in a promotion for the former Bundesliga coach, who now takes the reins at the A-League's oft-regarded 'biggest club'.

Although if they're to maintain that title, Kurz will need to re-evaluate what's expected to be success.

The former Bundesliga coach has enjoyed intermittent success throughout his career.

"I’ve only heard good things about Kurz," Deng says. "When I went away on Socceroos camp I was speaking to Craig Goodwin about how he is as a coach, he says he's good.

"Craig said he loved his time with him, he was a good coach. He’s tough," Deng laughs, "As Germans are.

"But I think for someone young like me, it’s going to be a good learning experience."

The 22-year-old has high expectations this year. He's now a Socceroo and an effective veteran among an evergreen Victory lineup after the departure of several key stars.

The void left by the exit of Carl Valeri, Keisuke Honda and Kevin Muscat, among others, places a growing responsibility upon the Sudanese-Australian's shoulders, but it's one he intends to bear wholeheartedly under his new German gaffer.

"The massive objective is the Championship and to finish first," Deng says.

"To lift the Premiers Plate and Championship would be nice, and to get a few more games for the national team. Try our best, try to be more consistent.

"If I can be more consistent and be my best, I'll have done my job."

There's a personal ambition behind Deng's eagerness for Kurz's takeover: the chance to experience a German coach and gain greater insight into what they demand in football's Elysium - the Bundesliga.

But while Deng believes Kurz will be pivotal for his personal development, he also believes the resources that will now be made available to Kurz, will be important for the German as well.

"It’s a bit of an insight into how coaching is in Europe," he says. "How hard you have to work. I think a new coach will be key to my development, I think it’s time for something fresh.

"I think Marco will do well. With the squad that he’ll get, the club will look after him."

After a dismal end to a sterling Victory career, the Muscat era will make way for a new stage in the ever-growing Victory saga. Kurz will be tasked with not only building a new squad, but attempting to hold on to the remaining talented youth products in the Victory system.

He'll also have to restate Victory's claim to being the most successful A-League club after Sydney FC's continued success, while finally making decent inroads in the Asian Champions League.

As the most structured, practical and defensive-minded coach Victory have appointed in years, you get the feeling that last clause may be high on Victory's agenda.

"It’s a massive club and they'll always bring in good quality players, but Carl’s gone, Kevin’s gone," Deng began.

"It’s time for younger players like myself to help. Leigh Broxham now, I feel he should be the captain, he’s been there for 13 years. He's had the leadership group around him for about five years now.

"We need our younger players to step up and help as much as they can."

Apart from Broxham, Deng was a little more uncertain about who he now looks up to in the Victory dressing room

"I look up to Broxy," he says. "I looked up to Carl but he’s gone now. Also Kev…

"Anthony Crea [Victory's head of football performance]. He’s also a big one for me, these are all the people that were there when I just started my career. 

"I'd just entered the youth team and was only training two or three times a week. Eventually I got my opportunity to be a part of the senior group and they are the ones that molded me, helping me along the way.

"They’re the one’s that are going to be missed, but that’s football – people come and go. You’ve just got to keep moving, keep growing."

While Deng's looking towards a brighter future, both at club and national level, the centreback was quick to praise the impact Muscat had left on the club.

He was lucky to have been developed in a dominant team and tactical system, one of Australia's best-resourced coaching setups.

Muscat's side allowed his technical skills to flourish, while also lending him the most prized experience in football - success.

"Kevin did a tremendous job but now he’s gone," Deng admits.

"While winning Championships, he was always very encouraging. I got to play alongside great players and he’ll be very missed.

"But I think it’s time for a new era. Something new, something fresh."