Out of work since being moved on by French outfit Troyes seven months ago - other than a stint in charge of the A-League All Stars - the former Melbourne City title-winning coach has been desperate to get back in the saddle on a fulltime basis.

Biding his time back in his home town of Melbourne, the former Leeds and Leicester City defender made his intentions clear earlier this month when contacted by FTBL, declaring the “hunger is still there”, without revealing whether he had thrown his hat in the ring to replace Tony Popovic at the club he once took great relish in beating while in charge of crosstown rivals City.

With the Victory board favouring a local option, Kisnorbo appears to have the inside running over Adelaide United assistant Mark Milligan, who is keen to return to the club he once captained as its main man.

FTBL understands that former Socceroos and Crystal Palace skipper Jedinak was sounded out over the position earlier this month following Popovic’s decision not to accept a contract extension, but chose to remain at Tottenham where he is one of Ange Postecoglou’s right hand men.

As for Montgomery, the former Central Coast and Hibernian boss informed Victory of his intention to remain in the UK for the foreseeable future.

Montgomery has received several offers since being axed by the Scottish Premiership side, with UK sources suggesting he has already agreed terms with a new club, possibly in the English Premier League, in an assistant coaching role. There has also been interested from the Championship.

Meantime Popovic, who was in the conversation for the Hajduk Split job that ultimately went to Gennaro Gattuso, is thought to be looking to Asia, most likely Japan or South Korea, for his next assignment.