Victory elevate interim Diles to head coaching role

Victory haven't won a championship since 2017-18 and a premiership since 2014-15, both under Kevin Muscat.

"That's a long time, and for a club of this stature it's probably too long," Diles said. 

"But that's more motivation for me and the current playing group to do everything we can to bring success to the club.

"What does success look like? Ultimately, at the end, it means silverware or qualifying for Asia or both. We've never hid behind that fact. That's our objective and our target for this year.

"That was the objective at the start of the year. It's no different now. For us, that's still our motivation, and that's where the club needs to be.

"When Melbourne Victory's in that position, the league's in a great place too."

Diles, 42, a former assistant to Tony Popovic and Kisnorbo, was prepared to handle the "heavy" burden of expectation that comes with the role.

"The expectation is that you have to win every match and you have to win a certain way. That expectation's there," he said.

"I know it's a big job and it's a massive club and it's a massive privilege and honour, but it's something I'm looking forward to and really happy about."

Managing director Caroline Carnegie pointed to Victory's brilliant form under Kisnorbo as to why the club kept continuity with Diles, rather than look externally.

Arthur Diles was caretaker after the sudden departure of Patrick Kisnorbo (pictured) in December. (Will Murray/AAP PHOTOS)

"While we did go through a process - JD (football boss John Didulica), myself, the board and internally - around what we would look at for candidates, when we stood back and looked at what we wanted for the club and our best chance of success, that was Arthur," she said.

Didulica added: "Having observed Arthur over that 18-month period, he's impressed me at every point.

"He's played a pivotal role in instilling the game model that we want to play.

"He's totally bought into seeking to elevate talent from the academy into the first team, it's a big part of what he's passionate about in football and something we are too. 

"And he's won the broad respect of everybody at the club, not just the staff but also the players."

Carnegie insisted the club's faith in Diles didn't waver amid a six-game winless run (three draws, three losses) before last week's win over Sydney FC, and was adamant money wasn't a factor.

"It was someone that's been here, that saw us get to a grand final last year in the A-League, saw us get to the final of the Australia Cup, that helped the coaching department and JD (Didulica) recruit for the season, who helped settle the new game style that we have brought into play this year," she said.

"None of that's to do with money, that's to do with Arthur's experience at the club, and that's the sort of metrics that we thought would set us up for the best likelihood for success."

Victory return to action against Perth Glory away on Saturday night.