Thompson is undertaking his C&B licence coaching course which he started at the beginning of June in Hume.

Alongside him were former and current high profile A-League names Carl Valeri, Michael Ferrante, Carl Recchia, Ivan Franjic, Tom Pondeljak, Nick Kalmar, Nathan Coe and Fahid Ben Khalfallah.

“Coaching was something I never thought of doing until I went to Murray and I saw a lot of young kids haven’t had that experience of coaching at that high level,” Thompson told FourFourTwo.

“Seeing certain runs they make saying ‘look I think it’s better if you make a run like this’, and then they do it and they say ‘thanks for the feedback, it means a lot’ and then it actually works for them and they’re really happy.

“That’s where I’ve got that fire to do the coaching thing. It’s opened up a lot of opportunities but it’s also given me different passions in different areas.

“I’m really happy with how the transition is going now and looking forward to what other pathways open in the future.”

Thompson will be continuing with the B licence in Canberra from June 22-30 and he said the seminar at the beginning of the month motivated him to continue.

Victory still train in a public park at Gosch’s Paddock, Richmond, however it was reported last year the club is planning to build a professional academy in Maribyrnong.

They currently share their facilities with AFL club Melbourne Demons and Rugby League side Melbourne Storm.

The former Socceroo wants to be involved in the Victory youth set-up one day and has little interest coaching elsewhere.

He also said he’s not putting his eggs in one basket and would consider coaching at a senior level if the opportunity was presented to him.

“I look good in a suit, who knows where your path leads, I might do this coaching thing and not like it and say ‘OK, it’s not for me’, or I might and say ‘I want to be Victory’s coach’,” he said.

“In saying that, there’s a lot of pressure being a player and then being a coach (especially) once the results start going stale.

“As a coach, I know with Kev (Muscat), a few times fans weren’t too happy with him and I don’t want to be put in that situation.I don't want to be hated for my decisions but that’s what’s going to happen if you get into that position.”

Thompson admits he never considered coaching when he played for Victory but now has a real desire to mentor others.

“When I played, it was at such a high level you just think about preparing yourself just for playing,” Thompson said.

“Whenever there was an opportunity to network or coach, you want to limit it because you place your focus on football.

“There was a reason why I wagged school and I know why, the amount of stuff you take in, it was full on but I got a real buzz out of it at the end of the session.

“The basic things I wanted to know, I got a good grasp of it and I guess it gives you that passion to do that coaching.

 “I’ve now got more time and I’m enjoying the other side of the game and other opportunities. I’m loving football not being 24-7, as in training, preparing for games and I’m enjoying the other side of it.”