Melbourne Victory’s head of academy and VPL1 head coach Joe Palatsides has left the A-Leagues club to work for a “major” European club.
Palatsides is set to become the latest Australian coach to work abroad, having impressed across his youth roles in the A-Leagues.
The highly rated Aussie was appointed in 2021, overseeing all academy age groups and the senior academy outfit.
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He leaves with Victory top of the VPL1 standings and on track to be promoted to NPLM VIC, while three more academy players have moved up to the Isuzu UTE A-League team on scholarship contracts for the 2024-25 season – Alex Menelaou, Luka Kolic and Daniel Graskoski.
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Jordi Valadon, Kasey Bos, Joshua Inserra, Christian Siciliano and Franco Lino – who was eventually sold to Norway, were promoted last season.
“Joe has left the Academy in a position we are incredibly proud of and will allow us to continue to nurture Academy players into our A-League Men’s side,” said Victory’s director of football John Didulica said.
“Collectively, we’ve worked relentlessly to ensure the Academy had credibility, produced players for the A-League Men’s team and could elevate players into professional club football here and overseas.
“Three years on from Joe’s appointment, we’ve transferred Franco Lino into Europe, have eight Academy players about to start pre-season as A-League Men’s contracted players, are on top of VPL1 and are leading each competition through the junior NPL.
“The stature of the club that Joe is heading to in Europe also underlines the quality of coaches we have at this club and the benchmarks that we are setting across the organisation.”
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Palatsides, who also worked at Melbourne City previously, added: “It is with a heavy-heart that I leave Victory but I’m excited for my new opportunity abroad.
“I’m proud of all the work our coaches and staff have put into the club’s Academy to have it in the position it is across all age groups and with our senior side.
“For me, continuing the progression of Melbourne Victory Academy players to the first team and abroad is vitally important and I’m wishing the club the best in continuing on this journey with a great group of players across all age levels.”
