Get to know: Westfield W-League coaches for 2018/19 Season

As we approach the start of Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season, we take a look at the men and women who will lead each of the nine clubs in their quest for coveted silverware.

While most of the coaches from last season remain, there’s a new boss for defending champions Melbourne City, while an ex-Sydney FC mentor is now heading up Western Sydney Wanderers’ charge. 

READ: Dobson tips new coach to revolutionise the Westfield W-League
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READ: Every Westfield W-League team’s Westfield Matildas for 2018/19

Here’s a closer look at all nine coaches for the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season.

Ivan Karlović (Adelaide United)

Ivan Karlović takes charge for his second season in the city of Churches. 

The man isn’t without experience though, having been in charge of Adelaide United’s NPL side, as well as serving as one of Marco Kurz’s assistants in the Hyundai A-League. 

The Reds finished rock bottom last year, but Karlović has recruited well enough in the off-season to prove any nay-sayers wrong.

Ivan Karlovic

Mel Andreatta (Brisbane Roar)

Mel Andreatta will want to take Brisbane Roar one step further than last season – her team won the Premiership but fell to Melbourne City in the Semi Final.

Andreatta, who is also a qualified school teacher, has led Brisbane since the 2016/17 Season, and previously coached the National Training Centre and Football Queensland Girls State teams. 

With her leadership and the experience of the likes of Westfield Matildas Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry, Roar will again be a title contender this season. 

Mel Andreatta

Heather Garriock (Canberra United)

Heather Garriock needs little introduction The 35-year-old has made the third-most appearances for the Westfield Matildas and is no doubt familiar with what is needed at the highest level of football. 

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Her pedigree as a coach, too, is equally impressive. Three years at Sydney University SFC, along with a stint as Assistant Coach for the Westfield Matildas, means Garriock is more than ready for her second Westfield W-League season. 

The 2018/19 Season will be a good test for Garriock. Her Canberra United team fell just short of finals football last year and will want to build on that promising foundation. 

Heather Garriock

Rado Vidosic (Melbourne City)

Like Garriock, fans of the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League will be well aware of Vidosic’s pedigree. 

The 57-year-old takes up his first senior women’s coaching position, having previously been the Head Coach at Brisbane Roar in the Hyundai A-League, as well an assistant at Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix. 

Vidosic will have big shoes to fill, though. He, along with his new assistant – former Westfield Matildas keeper Melissa Hudson – take over from Patrick Kisnorbo who led City to their third successive Championship.

Rado Vidosic

Jeff Hopkins (Melbourne Victory)

Former Wales international Jeff Hopkins takes charge for his third season at Melbourne Victory. 

Prior to his role at Victory, the 54-year-old coached at Brisbane Roar in the Westfield W-League and served as an assistant to their Hyundai A-League outfit. 

Hopkins has recruited well with a mix of youth and experienc and will be hoping to send Victory into the finals this season.

Jeff Hopkins

Craig Deans (Newcastle Jets)

It seems an eternity ago since Newcastle Jets signed Craig Deans to take charge of their Westfield W-League squad back in 2015.

The 44-year-old played around Australia for his playing career in the NSL and Hyundai A-League, yet his coaching career has been firmly in the Hunter. 

Deans took charge of the Foxtel NYL squad between 2008 and 2010 and even served as an Interim Coach for Newcastle Jets’ men in the Hyundai A-League Season 2010/11. 

Craig Deans

Bobby Despotovski (Perth Glory)

Like Deans, Bobby Despotovski has been a Westfield W-League regular since Season 2015/16. 

The 47-year-old, who also featured for the Caltex Socceroos during his playing days, is a Perth Glory legend, having made over 200 appearances for the club in the NSL and Hyundai A-League. 

Despotovski previously coached in Western Australia NPL for Inglewood United and Perth Glory U20s. 

Bobby Despotovski

Ante Juric (Sydney FC)

The man who took Sydney FC to within 90 minutes of a Westfield W-League Championship returns at the helm for another season. 

Juric takes charge for a second season, having built a squad and culture rivalled by few in the league. 

The 44-year-old made over 200 appearances in the NSL and abroad, and served as Alen Stajcic’s assistant back in Westfield W-League 2008/09 Season. 

Ante Juric

Dan Barrett (Western Sydney Wanderers)

Dan Barrett may be in charge of Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2018/19 Season, but it was across town where he began his professional coaching career. 

Barrett spent five years at Sydney FC, including three as Head Coach and will therefore have a point to prove against his former side.

The Sydney local has an impressive pedigree, joining the Wanderers from his previous role as the Head of Female Performance at the Central Coast Mariners.