Ex-Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton will coach A-League club Melbourne Victory until the end of the season.



Magilton arrived in Melbourne this morning, to be greeted by Victory board member Ian McLeod.



He has signed a deal with the club ahead of the Victory's clash with Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park tonight, and will be officially unveiled as coach at a media conference later today.



Magilton is expected to take over coaching duties early next week, with assistant coach Kevin Muscat to take charge for the Jets match.



Magilton, 42, a decorated Northern Ireland international as a player, spent three years at English Championship club Ipswich Town manager with no hard success.



He also spent six months at Championship club Queens Park Rangers, before leaving after reports of a bust-up with a player.



Most recently he has been an assistant at Irish club Shamrock Rovers, and was shortlisted but missed out on the Northern Ireland managerial job, which went to Michael O'Neill this week.



Magilton had a successful playing career at Southampton, Oxford United and Ipswich as a ball-playing midfielder over a 15-year span.



He takes over the Victory from Mehmet Durakovic, who was axed yesterday just seven months and 14 matches into his tenure.



It is understood Magilton's deal runs until the end of the current A-League season, before the Victory board make a more permanent decision on the club's long-term coach.

The Victory sit eighth in the 10-team competition, with losses in their past three matches.

Ex-Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton, pictured coaching Queens Park Rangers in 2009, is poised to become the new coach of the Melbourne Victory. Credit:Getty Images

AAP