Former Melbourne City boss Patrick Kisnorbo has been appointed head coach of the men’s A-League All Stars to play Newcastle United on May 24.
The game will be part of an historic A-Leagues All Stars double-header that sees the All Stars Men take on English Premier League heavyweights Newcastle United, before the first-ever A-League All Stars Women face powerhouse Arsenal at Marvel Stadium.
READ MORE: Three Ferns named in women’s A-League All Stars squad to face Arsenal >>>>
Kisnorbo will lead an experienced 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 coaching staff for the second time and Adelaide United assistant coach Mark Milligan who, under Carl Veart, has nurtured some of the league’s brightest talents.
Western United’s Michael Theo has been appointed goalkeeper coach, rounding out a coaching staff who are set for a priceless experience leading a squad of some of the very best talent from across the league.
Melbourne-born Kisnorbo began his coaching career after playing professionally for more than 17 years, predominantly as a central defender.
Kisnorbo’s playing career took him to South Melbourne, Heart of Midlothian in Scotland, Leicester City, Leeds United and Ipswich Town in England, before returning to finish his career with Melbourne City. Kisnorbo also represented Australia 18 times.
Kisnorbo started coaching at Melbourne City with their youth and A-League women’s sides, going on to win a Championship in the Liberty women’s A-League.
In 2018, Kisnorbo moved across to City’s men’s A-League team where he became an assistant coach, before replacing Erick Mombaerts as head coach in September of 2020.
Kisnorbo guided the club to their first ever men’s A-League silverware with the 2020-21 Premiers’ Plate, quickly followed by the 2020-21 A-League Championship.
The following season, Melbourne City claimed their second Premiers’ Plate.
His 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. Kisnorbo spent a year at the helm before departing the club in December, 2023.
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 men’s All Stars squad are set to assemble in Melbourne with an open training session for fans on Tuesday May 21 at AAMI Park with tickets available now for $10 via www.ticketek.com.au.
How to buy tickets
Tickets for all three matches at Melbourne’s festival of football and the open training sessions for the men’s and women’s All Stars are available at Ticketek Australia here >>>>
Fixtures
Game to be played on Wednesday May 22, 2024
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, 9.45pm (NZT)
Games to be played on Friday May 24, 2024
Men’s A-League All Stars v Newcastle United
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, 7.15pm (NZT)
Women’s A-League All Stars v Arsenal
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, 10.05pm (NZT)
More football stories
