Italian football icon joins City as Senior Academy Coach

Recently retired former Italian midfielder, Alessandro Diamanti, is set to join the Melbourne City FC coaching ranks ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Diamanti will join in September to assume the role as the Club’s Senior Academy Coach, while also assisting the Men’s coaching staff throughout their pre-season program.

Diamanti made his name in Italy’s Serie A, recording 200 appearances and scoring 33 goals across almost a decade in the league, while his decorated career also saw him spend time in the Premier League with West Ham United.

He’s also no stranger to Australia, having settled in Melbourne in 2019 after joining Western United where he quickly made his mark in Australia where his impressive skills and charismatic personality soon made him a fan favourite.

Diamanti officially called time on his playing career at the conclusion of the 2022/23 A-League Men season.

His arrival at City is set to bring extensive knowledge and experience to the Club’s already successful Academy program, which has played a big hand in the development of several recent Socceroos.

Diamanti will take over from current NPL2 Head Coach, Crisdion Krstevski, who will remain at City in a soon-to-be-announced role within the football department.

Melbourne City FC Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, said:

“To have someone with Alessandro’s playing experience is such an asset to the club’s Academy coaching staff.

“What impressed me most about Alessandro was the positivity and passion he showed to want to coach young players, and his affinity with the City style of football.

“What he will be able to pass on to our aspiring ALM footballers will be invaluable. Alessandro was a player who didn’t just walk into to the top levels of football, but he had to change a lot of things about the way he approached the game. This experience will hold him in good stead to assist all of our players at the club to be the best they can.”

Alessandro Diamanti said:

“It was an easy decision for me to join Melbourne City and I’m really excited to start the next chapter of my life and football journey.

“I chose the Club for the project that was presented to me and I can’t wait to start, and to make myself available to everyone. I will approach my new role at City with the same qualities that have accompanied me all these years on the pitch; passion, humility and respect.”

“I look forward to sharing my experiences and passion with the young players, giving my best to help them maximise their potential both on and off the pitch, all while never losing the joy that comes from this wonderful sport.