As we get closer to the start of the 2017/18 Hyundai A-League season, we continue our search for the most influential figures in Hyundai A-League history.
Today we turn the spotlight on the coaches.
We’ve picked our top five from the first 12 seasons, but you’ll decide who has been the best.
Cast your vote at the bottom of the page!
Who is the Hyundai A-League’s best-ever keeper?
Who is the Hyundai A-League’s best-ever striker?
Who is the Hyundai A-League’s best-ever midfielder?
Who is the Hyundai A-League’s best-ever defender?
Ange Postecoglou
The current Caltex Socceroos coach took over at Brisbane Roar midway through the 2009/10 season and embarked on a change in philosophy which would see him bring unmatched success to the club.
Attracting Hyundai A-League icons such as Besart Berisha and Thomas Broich to Brisbane and using a previously unseen passing game, he guided Roar to back-to-back Championships and oversaw a record-breaking unbeaten streak of 36 matches.
A move to Victory followed before FFA seconded him to take over the national team shortly after the start of the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season.
Tony Popovic
Western Sydney Wanderers have only ever had one boss, but when it’s a guy like this maybe that’s all that’s required.
The former international defender’s ability to effectively mesh a playing squad assembled at short notice ahead of their inaugural season and guide them to the Premier’s Plate and the Grand Final was simply incredible.
They’ve returned to the Grand Final twice more since, as well as becoming Asian champions, all under the watchful and astute eye of “Popa”.
Graham Arnold
The man known universally as “Arnie” is only coach to taste significant success at two Hyundai A-League clubs.
He had three full seasons at Gosford, guiding the Mariners to two Grand Finals and an inaugural Championship in 2012/13.
After a short stint overseas he returned, this time at Sydney FC, where another Grand Final was reached in 2014/15 and most notably a record-breaking Premiership / Championship winning campaign was completed in 2016/17, marking him out as a truly great mentor.
Ernie Merrick
The canny Scot was Victory’s first – and most successful – coach, guiding them for 151 games across six seasons, during which two Championships were won.
He was named Coach of the Year in 2006/07 and again in 2009/10 before a move to Wellington saw him implement his preferred entertaining playing style at Phoenix.
Now at the Jets, Merrick is renowned for giving youngsters a chance and encouraging eye-catching, goal-laden football from his charges.
Kevin Muscat
When Ange Postecoglou was whisked away just three games into the 2013/14 season, Melbourne Victory looked internally for his replacement, appointing their former captain to the top job.
In the time since, he’s remained at the helm as Victory continues to set the benchmark in many areas on and off the field.
The double-winning season of 2014/15 was a personal triumph for Muscat and he came close to unexpectedly knocking off the all-conquering Sky Blues in the 2016/17 Grand Final too.
