Melbourne Victory’s head of academy and VPL1 head coach, Joe Palatsides, has departed the A-Leagues club to join a “major” European club.
Palatsides is the latest Australian coach to take his expertise abroad, following a successful tenure in youth roles within the A-Leagues.
Appointed in 2021, Palatsides has been highly regarded for his work, overseeing all academy age groups and the senior academy team. His departure marks a significant step in his coaching career and a notable loss for Melbourne Victory.
Joe Palatsides leaves Melbourne Victory with the team topping the VPL1 standings and on track for promotion to NPLM VIC. Additionally, three more academy players—Alex Menelaou, Luka Kolic, and Daniel Graskoski—have earned scholarship contracts with the Isuzu UTE A-League team for the 2024-25 season.
Promising talents such as Jordi Valadon, Kasey Bos, Joshua Inserra, Christian Siciliano, and Franco Lino, who was eventually sold to Norway, were promoted last season, reflecting the success of Palatsides’ tenure.
Victory’s director of football, John Didulica, praised Palatsides’ impact: “Joe has left the Academy in a position we are incredibly proud of and will allow us to continue to nurture Academy players into our A-League Men’s side.”
“Collectively, we’ve worked relentlessly to ensure the Academy had credibility, produced players for the A-League Men’s team, and could elevate players into professional club football here and overseas.
“Three years on from Joe’s appointment, we’ve transferred Franco Lino to Europe, have eight Academy players about to start pre-season as A-League Men’s contracted players, are on top of VPL1, and are leading each competition through the junior NPL.
“The stature of the club that Joe is heading to in Europe also underscores the quality of coaches we have at this club and the benchmarks that we are setting across the organization.”
Palatsides, who also had a previous stint at Melbourne City, remarked, “It is with a heavy heart that I leave Victory, but I’m excited for my new opportunity abroad.
“I’m proud of all the work our coaches and staff have put into the club’s Academy, positioning it strongly across all age groups and with our senior side.
“For me, continuing the progression of Melbourne Victory Academy players to the first team and abroad is vitally important, and I wish the club the best in continuing on this journey with a great group of players across all age levels.”
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