Patrick Kisnorbo named coach of Ligue 1's Troyes

Paris, Nov 23, 2022 (AFP) - Former Leicester and Leeds defender Patrick Kisnorbo was on Tuesday named as the new coach of Troyes, the Ligue 1 club announced.

"In joining (Troyes) Patrick Kisnorbo becomes the first Australian to take charge of a team in one of the five major leagues" in Europe, a club statement noted.

He takes up his new job in France on the back of a successful stint as manager of Melbourne City, winning the A-League title in his first season in 2021 and finishing runners-up this year.

A former Melbourne captain, Kisnorbo, 41, spent eight years in England with Leicester and Leeds.

Troyes, part of the same City Football Group as Melbourne and English Premier League champions Manchester City, are precariously placed in Ligue 1 in 13th, one point above the relegation places.

There is added pressure this season as four teams, rather than three will be relegated, as Ligue 1 slims from 20 clubs to 18.

Kisnorbo succeeds Bruno Irles, who was sacked this month.