On this week’s episode of Total A-Leagues, Sydney Morning Herald reporter Vince Rugari and retired Socceroo Tommy Oar discussed the quality of Isuzu UTE A-League coaches and who could potentially move abroad.
Steve Corica? John Aloisi? Ufuk Talay? Mark Jackson? Could we see an Isuzu UTE A-League head coach lured abroad?
Australian legend and two-time A-Leagues champion Ange Postecoglou is blazing a trail abroad. After success in the NSL and Isuzu UTE A-League, the legendary tactician has gone on to win titles with the Socceroos, Yokohama F.Marinos and Celtic, while is now trying to help end the trophy drought of Premier League outfit Tottenham.
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Kevin Muscat (Shanghai Port) and ex-Socceroos boss Graham Arnold have also impressed since graduating from the A-Leagues, as have Peter Cklamovski, who was recently appointed head coach of Malaysia and Joe Montemurro (Lyon Women). Not to mention ex-Newcastle Jets boss Arthur Papas who is now in charge of J1 League side Cerezo Osaka and Central Coast Mariners great John Hutchinson (Jubilo Iwata). Then there are the likes of Ross Aloisi (Shanghai Port), Vincenzo Ierardo (Shanghai Port), Nick Montgomery (Tottenham) and Mile Jedinak (Tottenham) who are flourishing in assistant coaching roles overseas.
Looking at the Isuzu UTE A-League now, Englishman Mark Jackson is coming off an historic treble-winning season with Central Coast Mariners, Socceroos legend John Aloisi has rebuilt Western United after their 2022 Championship, while three-time champion Corica is overseeing Auckland FC’s history-making debut season.
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This week on Total A-Leagues, Sydney Morning Herald reporter Vince Rugari and retired Socceroo Tommy Oar were asked if they thought A-Leagues coaches would be in demand from overseas clubs at the end of the season.
“One we spoke about on last week’s show was Steve Corica, and I think that he’s silverware and how successful he’s been kind of speaks for itself,” Oar started by saying.
“One that I think goes under the radar, but is John Aloisi as well, because he’s obviously been in the league for a long time. He’s doing such a good job this season.”
Rugari, referencing Aloisi who played abroad for Portsmouth, Coventry, Osasuna and Alaves, continued: “Strong reputation, stronger than we might realize in Europe, and Spain in particular, actually agreed.”
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Oar, who also suggested Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay, added: “He’s got already that reputation as a player. In Asia, there’s a lot of money. It wouldn’t surprise me.
“I think they’re the two that kind of stand out to me to maybe kicking on and moving on at the end of the season.
“I think if you asked me at the start of the season, I would have said Ufuk Talay as well, but it’s been a little bit rockier with him. The timing’s probably not perfect, but I think ultimately they’re the three.”
Rugari said: “I agree with all of them, to be honest, in particular Corica. I think he’s got some really deep connections in Japan as well obviously as a former player.
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“He said before he wanted to coach in Japan. I remember doing an interview with him I think after he won his might have been his first title, second title, saying that that was on his list. That wouldn’t surprise me when you see the Japanese clubs are signing up coaches of the calibre of Arthur Papas and John Hutchinson, who, with all due respect, Corica is a more proven coach than they are in terms of pieces of silverware.
“One I think is a wild card is Mark Jackson because great success last season. I think probably the best individual season, possibly by an A-League club.
“The only one you could suggest is maybe better than them, was one of the Roarcelona seasons, but three trophies and don’t forget as well he’s English, and has connections there. He would have people over there who are looking out for him.”
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“He saw Nick Montgomery obviously go to the SPL (Scottish Premiership) from doing well at the Mariners, you know, something like that wouldn’t surprise me as well,” said Oar. “I really like him. I find him very refreshing. He’s very transparent in how he operates, and you kind of know what to expect and it seems like he has very clear standards that he sticks to.”