Chris Connolly

[Gouga 570]

Just annonced on SEN, waiting confirmation.

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Just annonced on SEN, waiting confirmation.

Yes, its confirmed, three-year deal

[QueenC 74]

This sounds like a good thing and something that was brought up here a few times recently......

And I love the speed in which Bailey and the club seemed to have gone about it.

Definitely hitting the ground running :D !!!

[Finks 19]

YES!!!!

[praha 11,240]

Hmmm, interesting...

[Nasher 33,617]

Absolutely stoked with this. Welcome aboard.

[Demon Disciple 12,267]

Good news. As stated in the other thread, it's great to see Bailey taking the initiative and hitting the ground running. He is no nonsense, goes after what he wants, and does his best to get it.

Welcome back Chris, and kudos to you Dean Bailey.

[Gouga 570]

I actually thought Connolly would not be interested in the position.

In some ways it closes the door on his future coaching oppurtunities.

Maybe Connolly has made some big decisions since missing the Melbourne job and no longer has coaching aspirations.

[WonnaJurah 5]

good replacement for fagan, and he is an mfc life member

[The Fergburger 0]

good replacement for fagan

I agree

[Gorgoroth 13,016]

Not stuffing around is he, well done to the bald badger and the MFC for getting chris to the post, and good to see chris willing to join su after losing the job, will he be like fagan with a assistant role?

[Gouga 570]

Weird situation 3 of the 5 final candidates will be employed by the club next year?

Maybe there is a job at the club for Hardwick and Sheedy.

[praha 11,240]

Finally getting some previous Demons into the club

[Stinger2 28]

Am very pleased with this appointment. Connolly did wonders for Freo's profile in the West in his time there.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I actually thought Connolly would not be interested in the position.

In some ways it closes the door on his future coaching oppurtunities.

Maybe Connolly has made some big decisions since missing the Melbourne job and no longer has coaching aspirations.

I think anyone who is coaching needs to have a broad mind as to future career opportunities in football if they ever get sacked.

Very happy with this appointment.

While I did not think he would be MFC coach he could bring a hell of alot to the football operations side of things in his new role.

[Redleg 41,409]

I think anyone who is coaching needs to have a broad mind as to future career opportunities in football if they ever get sacked.

Very happy with this appointment.

While I did not think he would be MFC coach he could bring a hell of alot to the football operations side of things in his new role.

Agreed.

[praha 11,240]

The more past players you have at a club the better; it's the only way you're going to get unconditional passion for success and the club.

[Sir-Allen-Jakovich 0]

From MELBOURNEfc:

MELBOURNEfc today announced that its football department head for the next three years will be Chris Connolly.

Connolly, 44, has been appointed Football Manager and will oversee all football operations, including coaching and player development and list management.

Connolly is the former Fremantle coach, an 84 game player for MELBOURNEfc, and Club life member. Connolly came from Melbourne’s Under 19s to the senior list from 1983 to 1991, with knee reconstructions in 1987 and 1990. From 1992 to 1996 he coached Eastern Ranges, then was reserves and senior assistant coach at Hawthorn from 1996 to 2001, before taking on the senior role at Fremantle from 2002 to earlier this year.

He has a Bachelor of Education majoring in physical education, and has strong networks in the football, business, cricket, basketball and mental skills areas. He replaces Chris Fagan, who finishes later this month to move to the Hawthorn Football Club.

Chris Connolly said :

"I obviously set out to become senior coach of Melbourne, but I am absolutely delighted with this outcome."

(More to come on website, I imagine)

[pantaloons 2,019]

Fantastic news. Well done to the MFC for the way in which they've gone about their off-field business of late. Having someone of Connolly's experience in the position will be terrific. Bring on 2008!

[beelzebub 23,382]

welcome home Chris !!

well there we have it folks..

The Bald and the Bountiful !!

[Whispering_Jack 30,580]

Great initiative on behalf of the club. We now have the experience we needed at the highest level (and a great Melbourne person to boot) as well as a fresh innovative coach. Hopefully our winning streak from Sunday night will continue in 2008.

Incidentally, only 3 clubs in the entire competition will go into the new season as last game winners - us, the Saints and the eventual premiership team.

[mo64 5,880]

Interesting that list management is part of Connolly's brief. Wasn't Craig Cameron in charge this year?

[occo 2]

Interesting that list management is part of Connolly's brief. Wasn't Craig Cameron in charge this year?

thats my concirn too. I dont rate Connolly in looking for talant but its out of our hands i guess

[w00dy 146]

Interesting that list management is part of Connolly's brief. Wasn't Craig Cameron in charge this year?

list management refers to the negotiation of contracts and the delisting of players... Craig Cameron virtually washes his hands of the players once their name has been called at the draft table, his job mainly is to scout our drafting prospects...

very happy about this, hopefully the two CC's can get our list into some fantastic shape...

[Jaded No More 68,972]

This is a massive coup for Melbourne, with 3 of the 5 candidates now at the club.

For all of his downfalls as a coach, I think Connolly has a lot of very positive characteristics which would be a welcomed addition to our club. Besides, he is great with the media, which balances well with Bailey.

Well done Melbourne. Very exciting times ahead!