EFL 2019: David Madigan to stand down as Knox coach

Knox coach David Madigan will depart the EFL Division 1 club at the end of the season after announcing this year would be his last in the role.

Knox coach David Madigan. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Knox will have a new coach for the first time in five years next season after David Madigan announced he would not continue in the role in 2020.

Madigan has served as the Falcons mentor since the start of 2015, coaching the club to the 2017 EFL Division 2 premiership.

But he will depart Argyle Way Reserve at season’s end.

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Madigan said he wanted a break from coaching.

“It’s five years at Knox but it was four years at Box Hill and seven years at De La Salle before that,” Madigan.

“It’s time for a bit of a rest and spend a bit more time with my little girl, and what I’m doing at North Melbourne footy club (as career and education coordinator) requires a bit more weekend stuff here and there.”

Madigan marked his time at the club as a success.

“There are some things where I probably walk away thinking that I’m really happy with that and other bits and pieces that don’t turn out the way you plan,” he said.

“The one thing you do control is the way you develop the young men you’re working with, working with the families and the club to hopefully build a culture and place where people feel comfortable and supported … and I’m pretty comfortable that has been the case.”

Knox was relegated from the competition’s top flight last year and it is facing the prospect of consecutive demotions.

David Madigan shows off the 2017 Division 2 silverware. Picture: David Smith

The Falcons have a 5-10 record and sit half-a-game clear of last-placed Wantirna South.

They would need to win their remaining three games to be any chance of playing finals.

Madigan said it was time for a new voice to lead the club.

“There are some guys on the list who have been playing five years of senior football and it’s been all under me,” he said.

“I’ve got the knowledge I’ve got and the way I want to play but that might not necessarily be the formula to get the best out of some of these guys.

“They do need to hear from other people, other voices and look at the game in a different way, simply for their own development and their own satisfaction in what they’re investing in.”

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