Western United secure ongoing services of A-League championship-winning coach John Aloisi

Western United’s A-League title defence hasn’t gone to plan, but the expansion club has kept faith with coach John Aloisi.

Socceroos legend John Aloisi will put his overseas coaching ambitions on hold after extending his tenure at Western United.

Aloisi who guided United to the A-League championship last season in his first campaign in charge of the Victorian club, has been reappointed for two further years.

Despite United being no certainties to finish in the top six in what has been a below-par title defence, “visionary” Aloisi having been backed by the expansion club’s board.

John Aloisi’s tenure as Western United coach has been extended. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

“John has bought into our vision, our identity and our philosophy as a club from the moment he arrived,” United general manager of football Mal Impiombato said.

“Last season, John was able to entrench our values into our playing group and extend on the existing foundations developed by the club, leading us to the A-League men’s championship.

“John’s impact on the entire club environment and the standards that are set here has been integral, through his work ethic, dedication and his qualities as a person.

“John remains committed to the growth of our club and our identity in the west, and I am delighted that he will be the visionary leader to take us into the next major chapter on our journey.”

Aloisi, who previously coached Melbourne Heart and Brisbane Roar, said he had “embraced his responsibility to continue making dreams come true in the west”.

“I am extremely grateful to everyone at Western United for the faith they have shown in me and for the opportunity to continue to lead the club into the future,” he said.

“I have been excited by the journey this club is on since the day that I joined, and I am thankful for the chance to continue to help lead that journey.”

However, Aloisi has long-term ambitions to coach abroad.

“I’d like to one day coach an overseas club,” he said.

“Ange Postecoglou has paved the way for Australian coaches overseas, Kevin Muscat’s doing well in Japan (with Yokohama F. Marinos), Patrick Kisnorbo’s coaching (Troyes) in France now ... I’d love to test myself overseas eventually.”

For now, Aloisi’s priority is lifting United – who have won back-to-back matches – into the top six.

Currently five points adrift of sixth-placed Sydney FC, United meet cellar dwellers Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Monday night.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries this season but we’re finally coming out the other end,” Aloisi said.

“It’s a tight battle for some places in the top six, and if we can string some more wins together, we’re still a chance of playing in the finals series.”