Melbourne City Manager Rado Vidosic Dismissed

 Melbourne City Manager Rado Vidosic Dismissed

Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic looks on prior to the Australia Cup 2023 Semi Final match between Melbourne City and Sydney FC at AAMI Park, on September 24, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia(Image-Getty)

Melbourne City manager Rado Vidosic has been dismissed from his position merely two games into the A-League season. He has been promptly succeeded by Aurelio Vidmar. Vidosic, who assumed the role from Patrick Kisnorbo approximately a year ago, led the club, which is under the ownership of the United Arab Emirates, to their fourth consecutive A-League championship match in June. However, they faced a devastating 6-1 defeat by Central Coast Mariners. 

Following this, Melbourne City, the sister club of the renowned Premier League team Manchester City, suffered a disheartening 6-0 loss to Adelaide United on Sunday, preceded by a 2-1 defeat in their season opener against cross-town rivals Western United. In light of these disappointing results, former Australia captain Vidmar has been appointed as the head coach for the remainder of the season, according to the club's statement.

Reflecting on Vidosic's contribution during his five-year tenure at the club, Melbourne City acknowledged his significant role in the on-field achievements, including winning various accolades with the Youth, Women's, and most recently Men's teams.

Vidmar, who briefly took charge of the national Socceroos team for one match as a caretaker in 2013, now returns to his first head coaching role in the domestic league since his tumultuous stint with Adelaide from 2007 to 2010. The 56-year-old remains a prominent figure in Australian soccer, notably recognized for a notorious outburst following a 4-0 loss to Melbourne Victory in the 2008/09 semi-finals, during which he attributed the outcome to internal club dynamics and launched a scathing critique of the entire city of Adelaide.

Despite this incident, Vidmar managed to retain his position and guided Adelaide to the 2009 Grand Final against Victory, ultimately losing the title-decider 1-0.