Scattered around the Hyundai A-League are a handful of managers who know what it takes to play in the competition.
From the vastly experienced Tony Popovic who is heading into his seventh season as a Head Coach, to the likes of Ufuk Talay and Robbie Fowler who are about to embark on their first.
The 2019/20 Season will boast five coaches who have played in the Hyundai A-League during their playing days.
And as recent history shows, these coaches have used their prior knowledge of playing in the league to gain great advantage in their chase for Hyundai A-League silverware.
Steve Corica
Steve Corica has Sydney FC imprinted on his DNA.
Joining the club in their inaugural Hyundai A-League season in 2005, Corica went on to play for the side until his retirement in 2011.
“I’ve played in the league and been here from the start at Sydney FC, so from a Sydney point of view I know what to expect at this club,” Corica said.
Immediately following his retirement Corica transitioned into coaching, firstly as Head Coach of Sydney’s National Youth League team, then as Assistant Coach of the first before eventually taking the reins from Graham Arnold for the 2018/19 A-League season.
15 YEARS OF HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE: Vote for the best-ever player
NEWS: One of the world’s best referees joins the Hyundai A-League
The rest, as we all know, is history.
“You definitely look back on your playing career, but as a coach it’s about winning for us at Sydney, we want to win as many trophies as possible each year,” Corica said.
“Playing in the league helps as well, you do look back on your playing days and a couple of things you did at training and think ‘yeah, the boys will like this’.
“Obviously myself, Popovic, Rudan, Talay have all come through Sydney FC at some stage.
“It’s great to see former players getting their opportunity to coach at the highest level in Australia and do well.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6089204063001
Mark Rudan
It’s been an unusual journey to Hyundai A-League coaching for Mark Rudan, but one he believes has prepared him to be the best coach he can be.
“I guess my pathway was a little bit different to others who are coaching in the A-League; other Australian coaches anyway,” Rudan said.
“I didn’t have the opportunity post my professional career to go straight into an A-League environment, I went to the NPL level and coached for seven years.”
After his stints at Rockdale City Suns and Sydney United in the NPL NSW Rudan broke into the A-League as he took charge of Wellington Phoenix for the 2018/19 season.
KONE: How Mickey Mouse inspired his trademark and tattoo
EVERY PLAYER: Western United FC’s signing so far
Rudan and his side exceeded expectations by progressing to the finals, and on the back of his impressive maiden A-League coaching campaign Rudan took on the exciting challenge of leading newly formed Western United into the league, a test he feels prepared for due to his experience gained through a seasoned playing career.
“I certainly think being an ex player and particularly an ex A-League player has helped me significantly in doing my role and understanding my role a lot better than if I wasn’t,” Rudan said.
“I can draw from all those experiences from when the A-League started and being an inaugural Sydney FC player as well.
“Having to really learn on your feet as you went along is an experience I can draw upon here as well.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6089202202001
Ufuk Talay
Ufuk Talay makes his first venture into professional management this season, leaving his post as Corica’s Sydney FC Assistant Coach to take the Head Coach position vacated by Mark Rudan at Wellington Phoenix.
Talay spent a decade of his playing career in Europe, mainly in the Turkish Süper Lig for a variety of sides in the nation’s top tier of football and returned to Australia in 2005 to join – guess who – Sydney FC.
Now as he takes the plunge into his managerial career Talay is ready to draw on his bank of experience playing both locally and overseas to make an instant impact as the Phoenix boss.
“There’s a lot of Australian coaches who have had an abundance of experience overseas in their playing careers which they also bring back to their coaching philosophies, which I think helps,” Talay said.
“As a player I liked to play with the ball a lot, and most players play football because they want to play with the ball, so I want to create a team that can actually play football and enjoy the style of football we play.
“The players that have been in that environment previously, I think they understand what it takes to do well in the A-League.
“Playing in the A-League does help in understanding the competition… the top three teams last season were (coached by) three Australian coaches, so I think the Australian coaches are doing well.”
INS AND OUTS: Wellington Phoenix
DRAW: Wellington Phoenix’s season fixtures
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6089201062001
Tony Popovic
Tony Popovic’s playing days seem far away as he heads into his seventh season as an A-League coach and his second at the helm of Perth Glory.
Retiring in 2008, Popovic spent the following three years as Assistant Coach at Sydney FC before heading back to England to perform the same role at Premier League side Crystal Palace, the club he played for five seasons.
His experiences playing and coaching at the top flight of English football then prepared him to return home to guide Western Sydney Wanderers into the A-League, and that’s when the trophies started flowing in for the former Caltex Socceroo.
With one Asian Champions League title with Western Sydney and one Hyundai A-League Premiership at both the Wanderers and Perth Glory, Popovic has transitioned into coaching with a flourish of silverware, and the 46-year-old says his success all stems from an unwavering philosophy.
POPOVIC: The Perth Glory first that fits Popa perfectly
KEY FIXTURES: The Fornaroli question every Perth Glory fan wants answered
“With football philosophies, we all have a way we like to play the game,” Popovic said.
“When I think of how much my teams have changed in the way they’ve played, I’ve had six seasons in the A-League going into my seventh now and so many things have changed for me in the way my teams have played and what I’ve tried to evolve as a team and personally as a coach.
“I think you have to adapt and understand how to get the best out of the players.
“What system you’re in, what league you’re in you try to get the best out of the group, and that’s what I continue to do, to keep evolving as a coach and improving and hopefully the players can benefit from that.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6089203951001
Robbie Fowler
The Liverpool legend enjoyed a glittering playing career, winning five major honours with the Reds as well as playing international football with England.
It was at the backend of his career that Hyundai A-League fans got to see Fowler’s talent up close, scoring 18 goals in two seasons, playing for North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory.
While he did it all as a player, Fowler returns to Australia to begin his managerial career looking to help rebuild Brisbane Roar.
“For me it’s been fantastic. I really enjoyed my first time coming over here as a player and I have no doubt I’m going to really enjoy it as a manager,” Fowler admitted.
“I’ve loved it. Obviously results are massive, when you are playing games, you still go out there with the right mentality, the right attitude and the right desire to try and get the result.
“It’s getting what we think as coaches onto what the players are doing and it’s been class so far. The players are performing.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6089252056001
