Patrick Kisnorbo has made a shock departure from Melbourne Victory as coach, only six months into a three-year deal, to take up an opportunity overseas.

Victory are sitting third on the A-League ladder and face cross-town rivals Melbourne City on Saturday but assistant coach Arthur Diles will step in as interim coach.

Kisnorbo signed a three-year deal with Victory in June this year after a decorated playing career internationally and within Australia, including 18 caps as a Socceroo.

The 43-year-old coached Melbourne City to their first A-League trophy in 2021, then signed with French top division side Troyes a year later.

In the first season, the team was relegated to the second league and after only winning twice in the first 15 games of the 2023–24 season, was dangerously close to further relegation.

He departed in December last year before signing on with Victory.

The Melbourne powerhouse club did not reveal Kisnorbo's next coaching move, with chairman John Dovaston saying they were disappointed by his early departure.

"We are disappointed to see Patrick depart the club so early in his expected journey with us, however, Patrick has advised us that this is an opportunity he wanted to take for his own development as a coach," Dovaston said in a statement.

AAP