The Hyundai A-League has witnessed its fair share of Australian and foreign managers over the past 12 seasons.
Some have been hugely successful, while others endured a less fruitful time in the hot seat.
We take a look at eight managers who enjoyed varying levels of success down under as we ponder, “where are they now?”
Jim Magilton: The ex-Northern Ireland international had a brief stint in the hot-seat at Melbourne Victory after taking over from the failed era of Mehmet Durakovic.Magilton was in charge or just 12 games in charge, winning just twice before parting ways with the club towards the end of the 2011/12 season. Since leaving Magilton, 48, has had stints as football director at the Irish FA and most recently as coach of Northern Ireland U21s.
Gui Amor: The Barcelona legend spent two seasons as Head Coach of Adelaide United and famously led the club to the 2015/16 Championship following a horror start to the campaign. Amor moved on at the conclusion of the 2016/17 season after the Reds finished ninth, with the 50-year-old returning to Spain. Amor is now a Youth Academy Coach at Barcelona.
.jpg)
Franz Straka: Few coaches – if any – could rival the passion and character of former North Queensland Fury manager Franz Straka. The Czech manager was the club’s manager for the 2010/11 season and often wore his heart on his sleeve, much to the entertainment of fans. His fashion choices caused quite a stir as well – who could forget that beige jacket! Straka is now coaching in Egypt with Smouha SC.
Mike Mulvey: The Englishman was in charge of the Roar for three seasons between 2012-14 and led the club to the 2013/14 Championship title. Mulvey was infamously sacked just seven games into the following season after a slow start to the campaign yielded just two wins. He was most recently in charge of Thai league 1 outfit BEC Tero Sasana FC.
Scott Miller: The ex-Fulham assistant was given his first head coaching gig when he was appointed manager of Newcastle Jets for the 2015/16 season. But after an underwhelming campaign which saw the Jets miss the finals, Miller was subsequently axed by owner Martin Lee. Miller joined Danish club AaB Fodbold as an assistant coach in November 2016, but reportedly parted ways with the club just six months later.
.jpg)
Alistair Edwards: The ex-Socceroo was Glory’s interim manager when Ian Ferguson was sacked during the A-League 2013/14 season. But after being appointed on a permanent basis the following season, Edwards’ relationship with some senior players became strained and he was eventually dismissed just nine months into a three-year deal. Edwards has since been working in Malaysia with Johor Darul Ta’zim FC as the club’s technical director.
Mehmet Durakovovic: The ex-South Melbourne took over at Victory following the dismissal of long-serving coach Ernie Merrick at the end of the 2010/11 season. Durakovic took over permanently for the 2011/12 campaign but was sacked after just 14 games due to a poor run of results which yielded just three wins. The 52-year-old has spent recent years coaching in Malaysia and is the current head coach of Perak in the Malaysian Super League.
Vitezslav Lavicka: The Czech manager took charge of Sydney FC ahead of the 2009/10 campaign and led the Sky Blues to the Premiership/Championship double in his first season. But after failing to make the top six the following season and an early exit from the finals in 2011/12, Lavicka’s contract with Sydney FC was not renewed. Since leaving Australia, Lavicka has managed Czech outfit Sparta Prague and more recently has been in charge of the Czech under-21 national team.
