Former Socceroos defender Patrick Kisnorbo will make his return from the coaching wilderness when he leads the A-League Men All Stars against Newcastle United.
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Kisnorbo, 43, has been out of action since he was sacked by Troyes last November following a disastrous stint at the French club.
Before that, Kisnorbo led Melbourne City through a highly successful era, claiming their breakthrough ALM premiership-championship double in 2020-21 and a second premiership in 2021-22.
Kisnorbo also won an A-League Women championship with City in 2017-18 before becoming an assistant coach to the men's team.
The Melburnian will get the chance to coach the ALM's top talents, including Bayern Munich-bound Nestory Irankunda as a launchpad back into coaching.
"I can't wait for this challenge and to be working with the best of the A-Leagues again," Kisnorbo said in a statement.
"We're assembling a very talented squad, and I think they'll put on a great show and push Newcastle United all the way."
Newcastle Jets coach Rob Stanton and Adelaide United assistant Mark Milligan will be Kisnorbo's assistants.
Former Socceroos captain Milligan has been touted as a coach-in-waiting.
Western United's Michael Theo will be goalkeeping coach.
The clash with Newcastle will be held at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne on Friday May 24.
It will be the curtain raiser to the match between the ALW All Stars, who are coached by Joe Montemurro, and Arsenal, who have a Matildas trio of Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross.
The Newcastle squad will include former Central Coast wunderkind and fringe Socceroo Garang Kuol, who has spent his two seasons on the Magpies' books battling through loan moves in Scotland and the Netherlands.
Australian Associated Press
