Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Palatsides as the Club’s Head of Academy Coaching.
Palatsides will oversee all coaching across the Melbourne Victory Academy and will serve as the Head Coach of the Melbourne Victory senior National Premier Leagues Victoria side.
Melbourne Victory Director of Football, John Didulica, said the appointment demonstrates Melbourne Victory’s ongoing commitment to creating an expert pathway for Victorian footballers.
“Joe comes to the Club as one of the country’s most well-rounded coaches with a proven track record in nurturing some of Australia’s best players,” Didulica said.
“In addition to his coaching pedigree – that encompasses senior football, youth football and strategic oversight – Joe will ensure that the professional and personal standards of our players and staff across the Academy are exemplary.
“In the role, Joe will lead a talented group of coaches across our Academy program – from under 14 to senior NPL – and we hope to develop players for not only our A-League Men’s team in the years ahead, but players capable to adapting to any football or professional environment in which they are placed.”
Palatsides said he was looking forward to returning to Melbourne and heading the Club’s Academy.
“It’s an honour to be leading Melbourne Victory’s Academy in an exciting new era for the Club,“ Palatsides said.
“Developing the next generation of talent for Australia’s biggest Club is an important task for the future of Melbourne Victory.
“My goal is to see our Academy graduates represent the Club at A-League and international level and become outstanding football citizens.”
The Melbourne-native comes to the Club straight from his role as the Technical Director of the Football Association of Singapore, leading the country’s men’s and women’s youth development programs for the past two years after a myriad of extensive experience in youth football across both Greece and Australia. Palatsides will commence his role in January, 2022.
Melbourne Victory will announce the balance of its Academy structure in the coming days, ahead of its preparations for the 2022 NPL Victoria season.
