Melbourne: Experienced Frenchman Erick Mombaerts, who had stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse, has been appointed head coach of Melbourne City in Australia's A-League.
City's cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory also unveiled a new coach on Friday in German Marco Kurtz, who won a Bundesliga title as a player with Borussia Dortmund.
Mombaerts, who most recently had three seasons in Japan where he guided Yokohama F. Marinos to an Emperor's Cup final in 2017, said he was motivated to win trophies.
"I am here to achieve two main objectives -- to implement a style of play that gives the team a clear identity, and in doing so to win silverware," said the 64-year-old.
"My focus now is on our pre-season preparation, together with my coaching team, who provide a fantastic combination of local and international experience. Our hard work begins today."
Our new boss tells us what he will bring to the job as he looks to hit the ground running in Melbourne. #LePatronArrives
Full interview https://t.co/e6CwvV3HSI pic.twitter.com/t1Lr0Un5pG
— Melbourne City FC ï¸ (@MelbourneCity) June 27, 2019
Mombaerts coached Paris Saint-Germain from 1987-88 and Toulouse for five years from 2001.
He has also been in charge of the French U-18 and U-21 teams, helping nurture the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Benjamin Mendy.
He takes over from Englishman Warren Joyce, whose contract wasn't renewed at the end of last season after City finished fifth on the 10-team ladder.
It's official! Marco Kurz will become the sixth manager of Melbourne Victory. Willkommen, Marco #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/QDk8PjKUDk
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) June 28, 2019
Kurtz is already familiar with the A-League, having previously been in charge of Adelaide United.
Sources: AFP, Melbourne City FC
Source: the-afc.com