Dwight Yorke appointed as head coach of Macarthur FC six months after being rejected by Aston Villa

Dwight Yorke has been appointed as the head coach of Australian side Macarthur FC on a two-year deal, finally beginning his managerial career in the process. 

The 50-year-old retired from playing football 13 years ago, having scored nearly 200 goals in a club career that included spells at Aston Villa, Manchester United and Blackburn. 

He completed his UEFA B coaching licence in 2010 and has since earned the A licence and Pro licence, but has never been able to find an opportunity in management. 

Former striker Dwight Yorke has been named as the manager of Australian side Macarthur FC

But now Macarthur have taken a punt on the former striker, who won the title as a player with Sydney FC in the first ever A-League season in 2005-06. 

‘I am extremely excited in what is my first-ever senior full-time Head Coaching role, to take the reins at Macarthur FC,’ Yorke told the club’s official website. 

‘Having played in the inaugural A-League men’s season, I have continually followed the competition, and am aware of both the footballing and fan demands in Australia. 

‘I look forward to adding a positive contribution and improve the game at all levels, however of course my primary focus will be with the Bulls, to deliver them success and a style of football that defined me as a player.’ 

The Sydney Morning Herald had reported that senior Manchester United staff recommended Yorke for the job after it was confirmed that current boss Ante Milicic would be leaving at the end of the season. 

Yorke spent four seasons as a player at Manchester United and won the treble in 1998-99 

The 50-year-old spent a year in Australia as a player, when he signed for Sydney FC in 2005

Yorke spent four seasons at Old Trafford and was a crucial part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble-winning side in 1999. 

The ex-Trinidad and Tobago international has consistently spoken about his desire to be a manager and applied for the vacant role at Aston Villa six months ago. 

It was the third time he had applied to lead his former club, but he was turned down in favour of Steven Gerrard. Yorke claims he did not even get a response from the Midlands outfit. 

‘I have to say at this point in time, although I have a fantastic relationship with Wes (Edens, Aston Villa co-owner), I still haven’t been able to get a response,’ he said on Sky Sports.

‘You still would like them to say, “It’s not possible, we have other options, maybe another time when the job becomes available again”.

Yorke applied for the Aston Villa job last year but was turned down in favour of Steven Gerrard

‘You just like to be acknowledged, but you’re not even getting that. I have to be realistic, and real to myself, understanding the challenge I face as an individual getting in.

‘It’s not going to be as straightforward as some people have it — and that’s a fact. I have to look elsewhere and try to get some managerial experience somewhere else.’

After reaching the end-of-season finals in their inaugural A-League campaign in 2020-21, Macarthur missed out on the play-offs this year as they finished seventh in the table. 

Their current squad includes former Premier League players Adrian Mariappa, Jordon Mutch and Craig Noone.