Canberra United have appointed Antoni Jagarinec as their new head coach for the 2024-25 Liberty A-League season.
Previously an assistant coach at the club, Jagarinec takes over from former head coach Njegosh Popovic who departed at the end of last season after managing the side for 40 matches.
“Antoni was a standout amongst a very high calibre field of applicants for the job,” Canberra United CEO Samantha Farrow said following the appointment of the club’s new head coach.
“He ticked all the boxes we were looking for as a leader for the team and his knowledge of the league and the playing group is an additional bonus for us. We are looking forward to working with him.
“We thank Njegosh for his commitment to Canberra United over the past two seasons, and for guiding the club in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, and we wish him well for his future career.”
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Previously a part of the club’s support staff between 2015 and 2017, Jagarinec has vast coaching experience within the local game having won honours with Belconnen United while he’s currently assisting O’Connor Knights during their NPL campaign.
“It is an honour to be appointed as Head Coach of Canberra United,” said Jagarinec after signing his new deal.
“I have been a part of the Canberra football scene for a long time and feel that this is the right time for me to make the step up.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Njegosh [Popovich] over the past two years and am ready to make my own imprint on the team.
“The club means a lot to me. I was first involved as a support staff member under Rae [Dower] and to be asked to take on the role of the pre-eminent women’s football club in the capital is a massive privilege.
“I am aware there is plenty of work to do. However, I am not one to shirk a challenge and will immediately start focusing my energies on building us the best, most competitive, squad that I can.”
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Now the ninth head coach in Canberra’s history, Jagarinec will look to build on a strong end to last season which saw them win their last three games in a row to pull clear of bottom side Adelaide United to secure an 11th-placed finish.
Key to that run of form was star striker Michelle Heyman, who with 17 goals last term secured a third Liberty A-League Golden Boot of her career and first since the 2011-12 season.
Heyman’s excellent strike rate ultimately earned her a recall to the Matildas squad and subsequently a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics squad.
Feature Image: Nick Strange / Fotonic
