Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson has urged the club to hand Mehmet Durakovic the coaching role permanently. The former Australian national team defender has been at the helm of the Victory since Ernie Merrick was given the sack in mid-March and has already made an impression on the playing group.

None more so than Thompson who has called for Durakovic to be appointed as the new head coach of the two-time A-League champions.

"He manages the boys well. Everyone has got the utmost respect for him. That's not saying we didn't have respect for Ernie, but it's good to have respect for your coach and we respect his career as a player as well," Thompson said.

"I said before that with no disrespect to Ernie, it was starting to feel a little bit stale towards of the end of the season. With Mehm coming in, everything changing, it's fresh.

"For myself it's like a whole new lease on life, I don't know where I am going to be. With Ernie I knew I was going to be starting. You just don't know anymore and it's refreshing and it makes you go out there and work very hard."

And Thompson said that after a disappointing season, the Victory are desperate to get back to what they know best…winning.

"We know as players where the club wants to go," he added.

"We want to be the Manchester United of the A-League. I still think we are there. I think results haven't gone our way on the pitch, then that's the most important thing."