MELBOURNE Victory's calamitous start to the season claimed its first scalp today, with football director Francis Awaritefe leaving the club.

Victory said in a statement today that Awaratefe felt the position wasn't right for him and he had decided to return to Sydney.



Awaritefe was quoted in the satament as saying: "I approached Richard Wilson (managing director) and told him that, after much deliberation, I didn't want to pursue the role any further.



"While I have enjoyed working with the staff at Melbourne Victory, I have decided to return to Sydney for personal reasons."



Wilson said: "We appreciate Francis's efforts and his honesty and wish him well in the future."



The Herald Sun understands Awaritefe, who replaced Ernie Merrick's right-hand man Gary Cole, was told his services were no longer required.

And pressure is also mounting on coach Mehmet Durakovic after Sunday's capitulation to Perth Glory, when Victory let slip a two-goal lead.

The board held a meeting with Victory's coaching staff (Durakovic and assistants Kevin Muscat and Steve Mautone) at Etihad Stadium after Sunday's game and stern talks are taking place regarding Durakovic's future.

It is understood Victory's nine-member board is split on the coach's future.

Muscat has become more vocal on the touchline since the derby draw against Melbourne Heart in Round 3, and issued far more instructions to players than Durakovic on Sunday.

Almost by default, Muscat has taken charge of day-to-day coaching and has done most of the talking during team meetings, leaving Durakovic's authority undermined.

Muscat's increasing influence has left players asking who is calling the shots.

There are also reservations about the quality of Victory's training sessions, with players concerned this is affecting performances.

Durakovic was appointed interim coach after Merrick was sacked as Victory's board chased its preferred target Ange Postecoglou.

Discussions took place but the Melburnian opted to extend his contract with Brisbane after it clinched the A-League title. The board also spoke to Young Socceroos coach Jan Versleijen, then AIS coach Gary van Egmond (now with Newcastle) and former Crystal Palace boss and Alan Shearer's Newcastle assistant Iain Dowie.

But the Victory board regards Muscat as a future senior coach so Durakovic, who cut his teeth with Victorian Premier League side Port Melbourne and Victory's youth team, was viewed as a good stop-gap after improved Asian Champions League performances.

But the inexperience of Durakovic, Awaritefe and the coaching staff has been evident with Victory struggling to cope with the heightened scrutiny following the signing of Harry Kewell.

The botched Matthew Foschini appeal a fortnight ago was a glaring oversight by Awaritefe, who oversaw the case.

Chairman Anthony Di Pietro and managing director Richard Wilson did not return the Herald Sun's calls.

Originally published as Awaratife leaves in Victory turmoil