Venezuelan Giovanni Savarese Appointed Melbourne Victory Head Coach

Venezuelan coach Giovanni Savarese is set to embark on a new chapter in his career, taking the helm as the head coach of Australian A-League club Melbourne Victory. The club officially announced his appointment on Thursday, June 18, confirming a two-season contract for the experienced strategist.

Savarese returns to coaching after a period since concluding his tenure with the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023. During his time with the American club, he achieved significant success, reaching the MLS Cup final twice in 2018 and 2021. He also guided the Timbers to victory in the MLS is Back Tournament, a special competition held in 2020 when the league resumed play after a COVID-19 suspension.

In his new role with Melbourne Victory, Savarese will not only manage the team in the domestic A-League but also guide them in the Australia Cup and the AFC Champions League Two. The club finished fourth in the A-League regular season in 2025-2026, accumulating 40 points before being eliminated in the finals by Sydney FC. Their campaign in the national cup ended in the Round of 32, and they did not participate in international tournaments last season. Savarese replaces Arthur Diles, who was dismissed at the end of the previous campaign.

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The Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce the appointment of Giovanni Savarese as the new head coach of the men's A-League team.

Savarese will work with a notable player at Melbourne Victory: Spanish World Cup and Champions League winner Juan Mata. The attacking midfielder, who also won Euro 2012, brings a wealth of experience from clubs like Valencia CF, Chelsea FC, and Manchester United FC.

Reflecting on his previous successes, Savarese also coached the New York Cosmos, winning the North American Soccer League title three times (2013, 2015, 2016) before his MLS stint. His connection to American soccer extends back to his playing days, having competed in the MLS for MetroStars, New England Revolution, and San Jose Earthquakes, as well as playing in England for Millwall and in Italy for Viterbese and Sassari Torres.

Savarese expressed his understanding of the club's significance to its supporters. "I know what Melbourne Victory means to its fans, and I can assure you that we will work tirelessly. We will play with true ambition to build a team they can be proud of and compete for the biggest titles," he stated. Currently, Savarese is working as a commentator for the 2026 World Cup coverage and is expected to join the team in mid-July after the tournament concludes.

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I know what Melbourne Victory means to its followers, and I can assure you that we will work tirelessly. We will play with true ambition to build a team they can be proud of and compete for the biggest titles.