Melbourne City FC can announce the appointment of Des Buckingham as Assistant Coach ahead of the 2020/21 A-League season, joining Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo and Goalkeeping Coach Neil Young in the coaching team.
The 35-year old joins Melbourne City from his most recent role as Head Coach of the New Zealand U23s, where he led the OlyWhites to its successful qualification for the now-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
Buckingham was previously Head Coach of the New Zealand U20’s and Assistant Coach to the Senior Men’s national team, taking the nation to its most successful finish at the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup. Prior to that, he spent three years with Wellington Phoenix, including a season as Head Coach, and was Assistant Coach for the then Premier League Stoke City U23 team following ten years working in Oxford United’s youth academy.
Melbourne City FC Director of Football Michael Petrillo said:
“We’re excited to add Des to our coaching team for the upcoming season and feel he and Patrick [Kisnorbo] will make a great combination in our quest for silverware,” Petrillo said.
“Des’ background at both Senior Men’s level and youth level is an important asset that we saw in him and his development as a coach has been closely monitored by the Club.
“We saw his ability to implement a clear footballing philosophy at the U20 World Cup and the U23 Olympic qualifiers and look forward to the skills and knowledge he will bring as we look to realise our ambitions in the coming seasons.”
Des Buckingham said:
“I’m delighted to be joining Melbourne City and I can’t wait to work alongside Patrick and the whole coaching team for the upcoming season,” Buckingham said.
“Returning to the A-League and joining a club like Melbourne City with an exciting group of players is one I believe fits the mould for me as a coach and my footballing philosophy.
“City has established a style of play that has set themselves as one of the top teams in the league and I’m looking forward to working alongside Patrick and the team.”
Melbourne City FC’s A-League side will return to training ahead of the 2020/21 season on October 5
