The A-League Men is back for another season, and the drama is sure to be just as noteworthy off the pitch as the action on it. With a drama-filled pre-season, including controversial funding cuts by the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and recognisable big-name signings, the 2024/25 season is set to become an enthralling book ready to be written. While the player signings and the introduction of Auckland FC have rightfully captured headlines, the managerial battles brewing behind the scenes are just as intriguing. Perhaps usually overlooked, several head coaches will face make-or-break moments this season. While they each deserve a piece, Front Page Football has decided to delve into five of this season's more fascinating managerial storylines.
Steve Corica will lead Auckland FC as head coach for their inaugural A-League Men season. (Image: Photosport NZ)
Can Giancarlo Italiano sustain Wellington's success?
Giancarlo Italiano's debut season as Wellington Phoenix's head coach was remarkable. He transformed the club to be serious title challengers, leading them to a well-deserved second-place finish.
However, Italiano and the Phoenix now face the challenge of replicating this success. The departure of key players such as Alex Paulsen, Nicholas Pennington, and Oskar Zawada will test their depth and ability to remain a top side.
The acquisition of Marco Rojas, a former Phoenix star, is a significant boost that can provide a creative difference in the final third. Beyond being nostalgic and hitting the heartstrings of Phoenix fans, Rojas' experience and quality have the potential to add further evidence that Wellington can maintain their winning mentality.
While the emergence under Italiano has been impressive, his role in Wellington's success may attract interest from larger clubs, if he continues to deliver results.
But the 2024/25 season will test Italiano again, challenging him to sustain the club's momentum. Can Wellington consolidate its position as a top-two side, or will the challenges of player turnover and increased expectations prove too much?
Can Steve Corica prove himself away from the Sydney FC shadow?
The 2024/25 A-League Men season marks a new chapter for Steve Corica, who takes the reins at expansion side Auckland FC. Corica's appointment comes after a mixed tenure at Sydney FC, where he achieved significant success while being criticised for his management style.
Corica's decision to join Auckland is a bold one. Now, he is tasked with proving himself away from the shadow of his former employers. The newly established club offers a clean slate and an opportunity to build a team from the ground up.
Auckland has assembled a talented squad, including experienced league campaigners like Jake Brimmer and Scott Galloway and intriguing foreign signings such as Japanese international Hiroki Sakai and Belgian midfielder Louis Verstraete. Under Corica's guidance, this blend could be a recipe for success.
However, questions still need to be answered about Corica's ability to handle the pressures of a new club and the challenges of building a consistently competitive team. His time at Sydney FC was not without controversy, exemplified by his falling out with fan favourite Milos Ninkovic. This blip has been attributed to difficulties in player management and backroom issues. Dwindling results ultimately led to his resignation towards the end of 2023.
So, can Corica adapt his approach to suit the needs of a completely new environment? If he can lead Auckland to success, it will help him restore his reputation as one of the league's better coaches. However, a disappointing campaign could raise further questions about his abilities. Could underwhelming results make this stop Corica’s last at an A-Leagues club? Auckland will be pleased to have appointed a proven coach with silverware under his belt and experience; whether Corica can begin the season strong and establish a foundation for the club's future will be a question on the fans’ lips.
Is Aurelio Vidmar the man to re-establish City's dominance?
Aurelio Vidmar will undoubtedly face a challenging task in his first full season as Melbourne City's head coach. Not long ago, the club was the perennial premiers of the competition. However, City has struggled to maintain its dominance following the departure of key players and successful head coach Patrick Kisnorbo.
Vidmar's tenure since appointment has been marked by inconsistency. City's results against Brisbane Roar last season summarise this trend, winning 8-1 in December and then losing 5-1 to them just two months later. The same can be said with their results against bottom-of-the-table Perth Glory, losing 4-2 in their away fixture and then winning 8-0 in the return.
While there have been glimpses of the team's former brilliance, Melbourne City's lack of consistency, although it is challenging to attribute one reason, is the biggest hurdle in regaining its past dominance.
The club's fluctuating performances in 2023/24 mean questions surround Vidmar's ability to re-establish a winning culture and maximise the quality in the squad to maintain consistency.
The departure of Jamie Maclaren, the league's all-time leading goalscorer, is a significant blow. However, the club have made strides to bolster squad depth, with signings such as Nathaniel Atkinson, Andreas Kuen, and Yonatan Cohen joining their ranks. These additions, combined with the development of young talent, could fill a portion of the significant void left by Maclaren.
After not claiming any silverware in his first season, Vidmar will be undeniably motivated to succeed. Having now had a full pre-season with the squad, he is eager to lead City back to the top.
The upcoming season will be a defining one. If Vidmar can restore Melbourne City's winning mentality and guide the team to success, he will solidify his coaching reputation. However, a failure to deliver results could be troublesome, as despite Vidmar signing a new two-year deal with the club in May, it may not stop them from looking elsewhere for a new leader on the sideline.
READ MORE A-LEAGUE MEN SEASON PREVIEW CONTENT ON FPF
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ISAIAS INTERVIEW: Isaias well and truly "at home" ahead of season 10 with Adelaide United
Can Mark Jackson lead the Mariners to an unprecedented three-peat?
Mark Jackson's first season as Central Coast Mariners head coach was a resounding success. Leading the club to a historic treble, his performance in the hot seat has put him on the map as one of the brightest coaches competing in Asia.
Jackson's ability to maintain the team's momentum in 2023/24 from the previous season under Nick Montgomery is a testament to how he moulded the Mariners to be totally in control of matches. Despite losing several key players, the club continues to assemble a competitive squad capable of consistently challenging for silverware.
While the Mariners may have different financial resources than some of their counterparts, exemplified by now-former club chairman Richard Peil recently admitting it has become "extremely financially challenging for small clubs to survive", they have proven that success can be achieved through effective management and player development. Jackson's continued focus on youth development through the foundations laid from Montgomery’s tenure has yielded promising results, with the club's academy continuing to produce talented players.
However, repeating silverware will nonetheless be a formidable challenge. The Mariners will again face increased expectations from their fans and hungrier opponents. Maintaining the same level of performance and motivation throughout an entire season will be demanding.
If Jackson can lead the Mariners to another successful campaign, it will put him in the spotlight as a top coach. However, the possibility of moving to another club will enter the equation, even if the Leeds-born man did sign a new three-year deal in July. He may be motivated to return home and redeem himself in England if the opportunity arises.
The upcoming season will be a fascinating test for Jackson and the Mariners. Can they defy the odds again and secure a historic three-peat, and will Jackson be tempted to move on?
Will Alen Stajcic meet the expectations in Western Sydney?
Alen Stajcic's appointment as Western Sydney Wanderers head coach is one of the key storylines of the upcoming A-League Men season. The former Matildas boss brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success at an international level. However, his tenure at Perth Glory was disappointing, raising questions about whether he could lead an A-Leagues club with heightened expectations.
Stajcic's time in Perth was a mixed bag. While he showed glimpses of a progressive style of play, he could not consistently deliver results. It should be mentioned that the club's off-field situation had a major impact on what occurred on it. The Wanderers will hope that a change of scenery and a fresh start will allow Stajcic to rediscover his best form, which we saw with the Philippines Women and a few years ago with the Central Coast Mariners.
The signing of former Chelsea and Manchester United star Juan Mata significantly boosts the Wanderers. There is no denying that Mata's presence will elevate the team's quality on the pitch and generate income for the club by attracting fans and sponsors. However, given that he is in the twilight of his career at 36, Mata will be tested to stay fit throughout the season. While we all know his quality on the ball, whether he keeps in peak physical condition to match the game's pace is important.
Stajcic's ability to manage a squad that includes established stars and promising young talent is why this storyline will be one to watch. Striking a balance between developing the youth and elevating the experience will be critical. Should Stajcic address the Wanderers' leaky defence from last season whilst incorporating an aggressive style of play (which may suit some of the younger talent in the squad), he may find much-needed success in Western Sydney.
The Wanderers could be a force in the league this season. With Stajcic at the helm and a talented squad, they have the ingredients for success. One ingredient yet to be proven entirely is whether Stajcic can consistently deliver results. He will be looking to justify his appointment and prove any doubters wrong.
The 2024/25 A-League Men season promises to be incredibly unpredictable. With a new club, star signings, and intriguing managerial battles, there is plenty to look forward to.
While much of the attention will be on the marquee men of Juan Mata and Douglas Costa, the coaching narratives are one of the more understated parts of the upcoming season.
Can Italiano sustain his success? Can Corica prove his worth? Can Vidmar restore City's dominance? Can Jackson and the Mariners do it again? Can Stajcic rejuvenate the Wanderers? The outcome of these five storylines will significantly impact their respective clubs and the managers' future.
The competition is positioned for a dramatic, exciting season filled with uncertainty and surrounded by a messy behind-the-scenes picture for many clubs and the APL. Despite the already-apparent drama surrounding the league, the coaching storylines will undoubtedly be a significant focus, adding an extra layer of intrigue. As always, the success and failure of new signings, the development of young talent, and the outcome of results will all determine a coach's triumph and demise.
We watch with bated breath over the next seven months to see who in the hot seat will buckle under the pressure and who will thrive.
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