Victory Confirm Magilton As New Coach

The former Northern Ireland international was confirmed as Victory new boss on an interim basis until the end of the season by chairman Anthony di Pietro at a press conference in Melbourne.

Di Pietro explained the decision to appoint Magilton only to the end of the season was in order to give both parties an opportunity to assess one another, before moving forward.

Meanwhile, Magilton, who described himself as a passionate, meticulous and astute manager, said he had no hesitation in taking up the job after being contacted following Victory's loss to Central Coast on Wednesday.

“I had no hesitation. I packed my bags, left my family at home because from the initial conversations I had with the board, they match my ambitions,” said Magilton, who recently missed out on the Northern Ireland national team coaching role.

He added: "I'm sitting here because the season thus far hasn't been as productive as we'd all hoped, but that's not to say the second half of the season can't be great and that's about getting the best out of the individuals.”

Magilton added he would instill a good work ethic in the side to do so, referencing Pep Guardiola's ability to do so at European champions Barcelona.

“Everyone talks about Barcelona, they are a great side. I think the greatest success that Pep Guardiola has achieved in his career is to get his players to work their socks off," he said.

“I think I can instill a work ethic into this side and that passion and desire into every individual.”

The former Ipswich and QPR boss added he hoped he could play an attractive brand of football at Victory, but said he'd assess the playing squad before making such decisions on style.

“I've always been regarded as playing an attractive brand of passing football. In saying that we'll look at the playing staff," he said.

"We'll take it accordingly, my job as manager will be to assess that and then set a system they're all comfortable in.”

He added: "The immediate effect I can have on the team is probably confidence. Probably morale in the dressing room, lift the morale and confidence of the supporters. I think that's something I'm easily equipped to do."

Di Pietro said he was impressed by Magilton's ambition which he hoped would take the club forward.

“In Jim's 700-game playing career, including 52 international caps, Jim served as captain of every club he played for, not to mention his country, Northern Ireland," Di Pietro said.

“Most importantly though, Jim is an ambitious manager who is well credentialled, holding a Uefa Pro Coaching licence and we're very excited to welcome him to Melbourne Victory.”

Di Pietro explained the length of Magilton's contract, when he said: "We found it quite opportune for both parties given the circumstances, we both agreed our priority is getting success for our members this season.

"What we could do in the meantime was get Jim to coach until the end of the season, that gives him the opprtunity to be asessed by us and him to assess us going forward. It's an opportunity which we hope will extend on to a future coaching career at the club."

Magilton takes over from Mehmet Durakovic who was sacked by Victory on Friday.