MELBOURNE: Former Manchester United youth coach Warren Joyce has been appointed the new head coach of A-League side Melbourne City, the club said Monday.
Joyce, 52, spent eight years developing the Premier League's giant's youth programme before a short spell as manager of Wigan Athletic.
"Leading by example throughout his career, Warren has produced quality technical players, quality tactical players, and ultimately well rounded players on and off the field," said Brian Marwood, managing director of City Football Services, who oversaw Joyce's recruitment.
During his time with United's youth team, 73 players went on to play in the English Premier League and Championship and 44 became internationals.
Joyce was also a former player-manager of Hull City and head coach for two years at Royal Antwerp. As a player, he made a total of 884 appearances for Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, Plymouth Argyle, Burnley and Hull.
"The people at the club, their vision and their values together with the opportunity to help develop and build this team to its full potential, meant that this was an offer which was impossible to turn down," Joyce said of his appointment.
Melbourne City have been looking for a replacement for Dutch manager John van't Schip, who returned home halfway though the last A-League season to tend to his ill father.
Melbourne City are owned by a consortium involving the City Football Group, which also owns Manchester City and Major League Soccer club New York City.