Wilson: “I cannot support the direction taken by the board”

The

club

have seen themselves in another tough situation after foundation board member and shareholder

Richard Wilson

parted ways with the club, claiming that leadership is what they lacked.

The news was confirmed on Monday; Wilson pointed out that he objected to a number of decisions and blamed chairman

Anthony Di Pietro

for Victory’s recent direction.

Wilson referred to his quit as a “very sad moment” after having previously been the club’s managing director.

"

My decision to resign as a director of Melbourne Victory FC comes about as a result of the direction the board has taken over the past two to three years

," Wilson said in a statement.

"

I have increasingly grappled with the impact this has had on our club.

"Accordingly, I have reached a view that I cannot support the direction taken by the board, which leaves me at odds with the chairman."

Victory had their fourth A-League championship under the reign of Kevin Muscat in 2018. Following his quit, Marco Kurz and Carlos Salvachua had come and gone before

Grant Brebner

was handed the management role last year.

Wilson plans to sell his shares to fans and members so that they will have a say in how the club is directed.

Victory said in a statement: "

The club is both saddened and disappointed by comments attributed to Richard Wilson on his exit as a director of the club today."

"Mr. Wilson is a foundation director of Melbourne Victory, however at this time the board along with a number of shareholders welcome his exit, which has been the subject of discussion for some time.

"The club now has an opportunity to move forward in a unified way.

"The board ... will continue working tirelessly to improve and drive results amidst these challenging times."

Victory were vanquished by Newcastle on Sunday as 5166 fans were present in the stadium and Wilson pronounced his decision the day after.

"

This is not a reaction to last night's defeat

," he said in his statement.

"

It is about a lack of leadership over the past few years and the way the club has slid down is the responsibility of decisions taken by the board and the senior management, in my opinion

."

The fans booed the squad as they left the pitch, with Brebner saying that fans’ frustration was “justified”. Victory are set to face

on Wednesday.

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