Hibs loanee's parent club announces new manager as ex-Hearts ace makes historic move

Former Hearts defender Patrick Kisnorbo has been unveiled as the new manager of French side ESTAC Troyes, signing a deal until 2025.

The 41-year-old succeeds Bruno Irles who, despite keeping the side in Ligue 1, was relieved of his duties after a six-game winless run, and will have current Hibs loanee Mykola Kukharevych in his squad from next summer. The move means Kisnorbo is the first Australian to manage a team in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

He left A-League side Melbourne City to make the move to Troyes, swapping one City Football Group-owned club for another. He initially joined the AAMI Park outfit as an assistant coach in the youth and women’s set-up, before taking charge of the women’s team and leading them to the league title in his maiden season.

He continued his progression and was appointed assistant to men’s manager Erick Mombaerts, eventually replacing the Frenchman in September 2020 and masterminding back-to-back A-League Premiership wins in 2020/21 and 2021/22, and A-League Championship success in 2021.

Ex-Hearts defender Patrick Kisnorbo has been appointed the new manager at ESTAC Troyes

As a player he began his senior career with South Melbourne, moving to Tynecastle Park after three seasons and playing 64 games before following Craig Levein to Leicester City. He scored 12 goals in 140 appearances for the Foxes and had spells with Leeds United and Ipswich before returning to his homeland and seeing out his career as a Melbourne City player, hanging up his boots at the end of the 2015/16 season.

Troyes currently occupy 13th spot in the Ligue 1 table, just a point above the drop zone. They face Élie Youan’s former side Nantes when the French league season resumes on December 28.