Di Pietro said a full review into the debacle that has been this season is continuing,and while Victory will look to appoint a new full-time coach it is highly likely that an interim arrangement will be put in place until the end of this campaign.
Current assistants Steve Kean,the ex-Blackburn Rovers manager and former Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Jean Paul de Marigny,who was Kevin Muscat’s assistant when Victory last won the title in 2018,remain employed by the club.
Di Pietro said the decision to change coaches was made at an emotional impromptu board meeting,at which Brebner spoke,following the game. He did not say whether the coach had resigned or been sacked,but suggested it had been a mutual understanding that a change had to be made.
“Grant and myself and the CEO[Trent Jacobs] and some board members have met and have come to the agreement that Grant will no longer be the coach of Melbourne Victory and that it is in the best interests of everyone involved,the club and Grant as a person,” he said.
“He has worked relentlessly,things haven’t worked out for a multitude of reasons. At some point Grant’s words[in the meeting] were we have to think about what’s best for the club going forward. You can speculate about resignation,mutual parting of the ways,termination.”
Brebner said he had been grateful to be given the chance to helm such a big club,despite his inexperience. “Sadly my expectations and the club’s expectations are a lot higher than where we sit[but] this club will come back bigger and better than ever,” he said.
“That result tonight was unacceptable ... It was unacceptable and I take the brunt of that.”