Melbourne City sack Rado Vidosic: Club appoint Aurelio Vidmar as new coach

Kieran Francis

Melbourne City sack Rado Vidosic: Club appoint Aurelio Vidmar as new coach image

Melbourne City have sacked coach Rado Vidosic after losing their first two matches of the A-League Men's season.

The club announced it was a 'mutual' decision between the two parties, but it's clear the 62-year-old was under significant pressure following a poor start to the campaign.

Former Adelaide United boss Aurelio Vidmar has been appointed the new coach for the rest of the season.

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Why was Rado Vidosic sacked by Melbourne City?

Vidosic - who won the A-League premiership with the club last season - has lost three domestic games in a row, including last weekend's 6-0 thumping at the hands of Adelaide United.

City also lost their opening match of the season to Western United and were bundled out of the Australia Cup by Sydney at the semi-final stage.

Vidosic was also in charge when Melbourne City lost 6-1 to Central Coast Mariners in last season's grand final.

The 62-year-old leaves the club after five years where he coached both the men's and women's teams.

"Rado is a true professional and has a brilliant football mind," Melbourne City director of football Michael Petrillo said.

"He has been committed to coaching the City style of play and has been a great servant across all levels of our club.

"His passion for the game and generous personality have had an incredibly positive impact on the entire club.

"His contribution to the club’s journey will always be recognised."

Who is Melbourne City's new coach?

Thirteen years after he last coached in the A-League, Aurelio Vidmar will take the City reins for the rest of the season.

It's unclear how long his contract is but it looks to be only until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Vidmar was the manager of Adelaide United from 2007-10, leading the club to the 2008 AFC Champions League final.

After being sacked in 2010, Vidmar spent six years as an assistant coach for the Socceroos and leading the nation's under 20 and 23 teams.

The last six years has seen the tactician ply his trade in south-east Asia with two stints at Thailand club Bangkok Glass, while also managing at Pathum United and Lion City Sailors.

"In Aurelio we have someone who’s credentials speak for themselves and who is also committed to playing an attacking, possession-based brand of football that aligns with our own football philosophy," Petrillo said.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.