After 10 years as a manager, including a spell as an assistant at Newcastle, few would deny that Jean-Paul, or ‘JP’ as he’s known around the club, has earned this chance. However, for the man himself, when the call from manager Kevin Muscat came in early December last year, it was a shock, but an opportunity he could not turn down, nine long years after his last A-League job.
“It sort of came out of the blue, but within a week we made our decision, with the family and everything else,” De Marigny says as he cracks a retrospective smile.
He continues, describing how his coaching philosophy is made up of a desire for three things: a no nonsense and hardworking attitude, with the ultimate goal of success. It’s an attitude he has learned to develop over many years, and he lists the late Eddie Thompson, Mike Hickman, and a period with Sir Alex Ferguson as his greatest influences.
“I think that the philosophy and the culture that those guys created, that’s got a massive influence on me,” he says on his footballing idols, before he admits they’re not the biggest driving force in his career. That is reserved for his will to succeed and most importantly, his family.
“They’re my number one. Without them I wouldn’t be here basically, without my wife and kids, I wouldn’t be here.”
“When I went to Newcastle, it was a collective decision, coming here was a collective decision, and this time they actually pushed me to come here.”
Victory manager Kevin Muscat played a key role in luring him to the club just under a year ago. The head-coach acknowledged how crucial it is that their bond is strong.
“His relationship with the players is just as important as my relationship with him, and the players bounce off him,” Muscat said as he sung the praises of his right-hand man.
“[Jean-Paul’s] got a lot of energy so you can bounce of his energy most days as well, which is healthy for the group.”
As for De Marigny, one of the biggest challenges he faces on a daily basis is the balance of influencing the players in his own way whilst also adhering to Muscat’s vision for the team.
“It’s very, very important that the language that comes out of Kevin comes out of me. So that we don’t confuse players. That’s challenging in itself,” De Marigny says sternly.
The appointment of the former Socceroo as assistant manager has been a popular one with fans. With an undefeated start to the season after four round’s, there’s a air of optimism, which has gone unparalleled at the club over the past few years.
This belief is one shared by De Marigny, who is using last season’s heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Brisbane Roar as extra motivation for this season.
“That was a bitter pill to swallow that one,” he recalls.
“After beating Guangzhou 2-0, being alive in the AFC [Asian Champions League], and progressing against Sydney FC – so all of that were the highs of the game – and then within that seven days, it just disappeared, under difficult circumstances you know?”
De Marigny says that for the team to succeed, the team must improve in all areas from last season.
“We want one step higher than last year, that’s always been our goal from the day that we finished the year before,” he says.
“Be a little bit better in all different departments. That’s our goal.”
Looking towards the future, JP says that despite being comfortable at Melbourne, he is open to a head coaching role elsewhere.
“I’m very clear with that. 100%.” he says.
“I’ll tell you why I’m clear with that. If I’m going to demand, or encourage young players, all players to maximise their ability, how can I not be ambitious? Then I can’t teach that.”
However, he says that if that opportunity doesn’t come, then it won’t be a regret of his.
“You have to go to the top, wherever that is. If it’s just short, it’s just short. And that’s very clear. Because otherwise I’d be choosing this club. And that’s the way I see it,” he says passionately.
Fans of the club shouldn’t worry though, because De Marigny has no plans to go anywhere, unless such an offer does come.
“It’s an honour, and I’m very humbled to be here.”