Melbourne Victory are reeling after head coach Patrick Kisnorbo left the club just five days before the derby, citing an overseas opportunity. Chairman John Dovaston described the departure as a “shock”, a sentiment echoed by captain Roderick Miranda and caretaker coach Arthur Diles, who said the move “came from nowhere”.
The club, once a flagship of Australian football with attendances exceeding 50,000 for a semi-final a decade ago, now faces a stark decline. Financial accounts for 2023-24 show a loss of nearly $10 million, up from $7.6 million the previous year. Owners have injected an extra $3.4 million since July to keep the club running, while creditors, including tax authorities, have agreed to deferred payment terms.
Average home attendances have fallen to just over 10,000 this season, though Victory remains among the A-League’s largest draws. However, rivals Sydney FC and newcomers Auckland have overtaken them as commercial heavyweights. Roy Morgan research shows Victory’s supporter base dropped from 615,000 to 588,000 in the past year, the steepest decline of any club.
Managing director Caroline Carnegie acknowledged the challenge of financial sustainability, noting that the club has a five-year plan to recover from Covid. She also cited the lingering impact of the 2022 derby pitch invasion, which injured City goalkeeper Tom Glover and led to sanctions, affecting membership and partnerships. “We have made significant changes to realign our business and develop a realistic path to financial sustainability,” she said.
Despite the turmoil, there are positive signs. Turkish Airlines has become the main shirt sponsor, and AIA extended its partnership with the club last month. Caretaker coach Diles remains optimistic, stating, “Melbourne Victory is still Melbourne Victory and it’s still the biggest club.” However, with Kisnorbo’s exit and ongoing financial pressures, the club’s recovery remains uncertain.
