A-Leagues fans will find a familiar face in the dugout when the A-League All Stars Men face Newcastle United in Melbourne on May 24, with former Melbourne City boss Patrick Kisnorbo appointed head coach.
His appointment marks an exciting moment in the build up to an historic A-Leagues All Stars double-header that sees the All Stars Men take on Premier League heavyweights Newcastle United, before the very first A-League All Stars Women face powerhouse Arsenal Women FC at Marvel Stadium.
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Kisnorbo will lead an experience coaching setup which will feature a vast array of expertise from across the Isuzu UTE A-League Men. His assistant coaches will be Newcastle Jets head coach Rob Stanton who will feature in an A-League All Stars Men’s coach staff for the second time and Adelaide United assistant coach Mark Milligan who, under Carl Veart, has nurtured some of the Isuzu UTE A-Leagues’ brightest talents.
Western United and A-Leagues great Michael Theo has been appointed as goalkeeper coach for the A-League All Stars Men, rounding out a coaching staff who are set for a priceless experience leading a squad of some of the very best in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men.
Kisnorbo, who was born in Melbourne, began his coaching career after spending more than 17 years playing professionally both here and abroad where he predominantly played as a central defender.
Known for his ultra-competitiveness, determination and toughness on the field, Kisnorbo’s playing career saw him enjoy time with South Melbourne, Heart of Midlothian in Scotland, Leicester City, Leeds United and Ipswich Town in England, before returning home to finish his career with Melbourne City. Throughout his career, Kisnorbo also represented Australia on 18 occasions.
Upon retiring, Kisnorbo moved straight into coaching at Melbourne City with their Youth and A-League Women sides, going on to win a Championship in the Liberty A-League Women.
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In 2018, Kisnorbo moved across to City’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s team where he became an assistant coach, before replacing Erick Mombaerts as head coach in September of 2020.
It was here that Kisnorbo quickly became one of the brightest up and coming A-Leagues coaches, guiding the club to their first ever piece of Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s silverware with the 2020-21 Premiers’ Plate, quickly followed by the 2020-21 Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s Championship.
The following season, Kisnorbo showed no signs of slowing down with Melbourne City claiming their second Isuzu UTE A-League Men Premiers’ Plate in as many years. From there, his incredible success attracted the attention of then Ligue 1 side ES Troyes in France where he became the first Australian to manage at a top five league in Europe. Making the move abroad, Kisnorbo spent one year at the helm before departing the club in December, 2023.
Kisnorbo will return home to take charge of the finest talent the Isuzu UTE A-League Men has to offer. It will mark his first time coaching in Australia since departing Melbourne City in 2022.
Commenting on his appointment as A-League All Stars Men Head coach, Patrick Kisnorbo said: “I can’t wait for this challenge and to be working with the best of the A-Leagues again. We’re assembling a very talented squad, and I think they’ll put on a great show and push Newcastle United all the way.”
The full A-League All Stars Men squad is set to assemble in Melbourne next week with an open training session for fans on Tuesday 21 May at AAMI Park with tickets available now for $10 via www.ticketek.com.au
Global Football Week Melbourne will be telecast in Australia live and free on 10 Bold and streamed exclusively on 10 Play and Paramount+. Fans can purchase their tickets to the A-Leagues All Stars double-header on May 24 here.
