Melbourne Knights FC Official Website The Melbourne Knights Football Club is pleased to announce that Stuart Munro has been appointed the club’s head coach for the next three seasons.
After an extensive recruitment and interview process, the experienced Munro was a stand-out candidate with the club moving swiftly to secure his services.
Munro, a former Glasgow Rangers and Blackburn Rovers player moved to Australia in 1997 where he finished his playing career with Sydney United in the NSL.
Following his retirement from playing, Munro immediately entered into the coaching caper which saw him appointed Gippsland Falcons coach in 1998 which lead to stints with Parramatta Power, Carlton SC and South Melbourne in 2003/04 season of the NSL – which would ultimately be the competition’s last.
Following the demise of the NSL Munro took a break before being appointed Oakleigh Cannons coach mid-season 2005 after the dismissal of Michael Chatzitrifonos, his first game in charge ironically being a 1-1 draw against the Melbourne Knights at Jack Edwards Reserve.
Munro guided Oakleigh into the finals after taking over and in the following season took out the minor premiership and was disappointed to bow out of the finals in straight sets. In 2007 Munro once again led Oakleigh to the finals series whilst 2008 saw Munro miss out for the first time as a coach in the Victorian top-flight.
At the conclusion of the 2008 season, Munro and Oakleigh parted ways, however the Scotsman wasn’t out of a job for long, being appointed Dandenong Thunder coach for their maiden 2009 Victorian Premier League campaign after gaining promotion from State League 1.
Munro’s Victorian record speaks for itself; he has guided both the Oakleigh Cannons and Dandenong Thunder to minor premierships and grand finals in the Victorian Premier League which saw him win the Victorian Coach of the Year award in 2006 and 2009. Munro also spent time at Perth Glory as assistant coach to former Rangers teammate Ian Ferguson.
Munro’s pedigree within Victorian football as a coach Victoria is without peer having spent the bulk of his career under the legendary Graeme Souness.
Munro’s most recent men’s coaching role was at Dandenong City in 2017 where he narrowly missed out on promotion into the NPL following a horror run of injuries – missing out on the last day of the season to the Knights themselves who won the promotion-relegation game.
Munro is excited to lead the club going forward;
“The challenge ahead is to bring an experienced squad together to help the outstanding young talent already at the club to develop into a finals contending team.”
Munro is also aware of the club’s culture and long term ambitions adding that;
“It is an honour and a privilege to be taking over as the senior coach of the Melbourne Knights. I have great respect for the club as one of Australia’s great clubs. Our aim will always be to win and to give our loyal supporters a team they will be proud to come and support every week.”
In Munro, the club has secured the services of a proven and respected coach who has been successful at every club he has led.
We welcome Stuart to the club and wish him all the very best in his preparations for the 2020 season.