Warren Joyce has taken over as Head Coach at Melbourne City FC in Australia reportedly on a two-year deal that was “impossible to turn down”.
The former Wigan Athletic manager, who was sacked by the Latics after just four months in charge on March 13, had previously spent eight years as Manchester United’s reserve team manager.
Joyce, 52, also spent two years as Head Coach of Leeds United reserves and two years coaching at Royal Antwerp after a spell as Hull City’s player manager.
He arrives in time to begin Melbourne City‘s pre-season training, alongside Senior Assistant Coach Michael Valkanis, Assistant Coach Joe Montemurro and Goalkeeping Coach Joey Didiluca.
Joyce spoke of his delight at joining the club, saying: “I am delighted to be joining Melbourne City Football Club at this time in its evolution.
“The people at the club, their vision and their values together with the opportunity to help develop and build this team to its full potential, meant that this was an offer which was impossible to turn down. I can’t wait to get started.”
Simon Pearce, Vice-Chairman of Melbourne City, said: “In Warren Joyce, we have a manager with a long and distinguished footballing career, who has proved himself, in many different environments, as both a pragmatic manager and a versatile, driven coach.
“His career achievements, and the many coaching partnerships he has had in the past, suggest an ideal cultural and tactical fit for Melbourne City.”
Brian Marwood, Managing Director of City Football Services, who oversaw Warren’s recruitment, added:
“Warren Joyce is a manager who sees football as a way of life, not a job.
“By leading by example throughout his career, he has produced quality technical players, quality tactical players, and ultimately well rounded players on and off the field.
“And more than that – his teams have consistently won domestic and international trophies. He is the right manager at the right time for Melbourne City.”