How Postecoglou’s overseas success can propel more Australian coaches forward

He’s one of the biggest names in Australian football right now. Ange Postecoglou is continuing to put the land down under on the footballing map internationally.

Fresh off guiding Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title, there are now recent talks of where Australia’s coaching darling will be headed next. Some are suggesting he should set his sights to the English Premier League.

This includes former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who spoke on Optus Sport’s GegenPod Football Podcast.

“I don’t get the argument that he can’t manage in the Premier League,” he said.

“Look at his track record, it speaks for itself. I think people would have sat up and noticed the job he’s done at Celtic.”

Postecoglou has won over Scottish fans just as he did in Australia at club level, with South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar.

Closer to home, it’s not just fans he’s won over though. Very few involved in football have anything bad to say about the newly-crowned Celtic champion manager.

But much like the initial reception that Postecoglou found in Scotland, it wasn’t always this way, as outlined by Football Coaches Australia President, Phil Moss.

“I had a few friends, particularly Rangers fans, who were let’s just say encouraging me to reach out to Ange and warn him against taking the job, it was that strong a feeling from certain sections,” he told Soccerscene.

“I just smiled and waved really. As anyone who knows Ange – and I’m not professing to know him very closely – but I’ve had some dealings with him over the years, and it was always going to be successful.

“Ange eats that sort of pressure for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If he decided that was the job for him, then you knew he was going to turn into a success.”

Hail, hail Ange Postecoglou - the anti-Howe who transformed Celtic in a season

Moss is optimistic that Postecoglou is paving the way for Australian coaches overseas. Having previously coached at the J-League’s Yokohama F. Marinos, the Celtic move was one of the biggest in the history of Australian coaching.

But alongside the likes of Kevin Muscat (Sint-Truiden and Yokohama), Harry Kewell in England, and Alen Stajcic (Philippines women’s national team), he’s overcoming the obstacles that get in the way of Australian coaches.

“The main obstacle is our lack of profile down here when it comes to European circles and competitions,” Moss continued.

“If you look at a Steven Gerrard for instance, Ange’s CV leaves his in coaching terms a long way behind. But Ange obviously doesn’t have the profile from his playing career.

“He’s formally in the A-League and NSL as well, but let’s not forget the success he had with South Melbourne in the National Soccer League.

“What its done is a couple of things. Initially when players first started going overseas from Australia it opens doors, and it sparks interest of people in positions of power over in Europe that Aussies know how to play.

“This will now certainly let people understand that we know how to coach.

“It opens doors and gives coaches in Australia the confidence to know that they can aspire to rise to a higher level, despite maybe not having a high profile European playing career.”

Despite Postecoglou and other international coaches’ successes, the FCA still faces challenges at home when it comes to their own coaches.

“Our role at FCA is to go on the journey with the coaches,” Moss said.

“A key part of our work at the moment is working towards aligning our AFC/FA coaching badges with UEFA. At the moment, if you go through the AFC/FA coaching licenses, that doesn’t align to Europe.

“For coaches like Ange and Kevin Muscat, they’ve all had to go through or are going through a process of aligning their qualifications.

“It’s a big issue because it basically means any coach going through the AFC coaching pathway at the moment is reassessing if that’s the right pathway for them at the moment.”

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And although many Australian coaches are still facing issues reaching their potential in a position in a European league, Postecoglou is well and truly a trailblazer.

“We’ve got to put this into context, he took over what local pundits were saying was the worst Celtic squad in 30 years where they lost the last league title by 25 points,” Moss said.

“That is a massive turnaround, just to get even with Rangers, let alone beat them to the title this season. As Ange said the other night, to fit two seasons into one – with a rebuilding season and a season for the title – is a phenomenal effort.”

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Australian Championship set to revolutionise domestic football

Football Australia has unveiled the “Australian Championship,” a groundbreaking new competition that promises to reshape the nation’s football landscape.

Officially launching in October 2025, the Championship will serve as a vital bridge between state-based competitions and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s system, bringing clubs, players, and communities closer together.

This announcement comes on the heels of the October confirmation of the National Second Tier (NST) format, marking a significant milestone in Australian football.

The Australian Championship will provide a national platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent while fostering stronger connections with fans and communities across the country.

Competition Format and Vision

The Australian Championship will feature 16 teams competing in a dynamic format designed to balance competitive integrity and fan engagement. The competition will include:

Group Stage: Four groups of four teams playing home-and-away fixtures.

Elimination Finals: The top two teams from each group advancing to knockout rounds.

Grand Final: The inaugural champion to be crowned in December 2025.

This structure highlights Football Australia’s ambition to create an inclusive, exciting, and commercially sustainable competition that celebrates the depth of Australian football talent.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson spoke on the importance of this announcement for the future of Australian football.

“The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection. It reflects the core values of Australian football: authenticity, opportunity, and ambition,” Johnson said in the press release.

“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”

Founding Clubs and National Representation

The competition will include eight Foundation Clubs with storied histories, such as APIA Leichhardt FC (NSW), Avondale FC (VIC), Marconi Stallions FC (NSW), Preston Lions FC (VIC), South Melbourne FC (VIC), Sydney Olympic FC (NSW), Sydney United 58 FC (NSW), and Wollongong Wolves FC (NSW), representing some of the strongest footballing traditions in the country.

Joining them will be eight Member Federation clubs drawn from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across all states and territories.

This model ensures representation from every corner of the national football community, giving grassroots and state-level clubs an opportunity to compete on a larger stage.

Core Pillars of the Australian Championship

The Australian Championship aims to unite Australian football under the following key values:

Authenticity: Honouring historic clubs, iconic venues, and long-standing rivalries.

Discovery: Showcasing emerging talent and rising stars from across the nation.

Connection: Strengthening ties between grassroots, state competitions, and professional pathways.

Pride and Belonging: Celebrating football’s ability to bring players, fans, and communities together.

A New Era for Australian Football

With its launch, the Australian Championship is set to redefine the country’s domestic football ecosystem, creating new opportunities for players, clubs, and fans. Football Australia’s initiative reflects a commitment to building a thriving national competition while staying true to the rich heritage and passion that underpin Australian football.

As October 2025 approaches, anticipation will only grow for what promises to be a transformative moment in the nation’s sporting history.

The Club Development Conference highlights community football

Significant Sporting Events Program 2023-24

On Saturday, February 1st, over 200 attendees came together at Valentine Sports Park for the 2025 Football NSW Club Development Conference.

With registrations for the 2025 season still coming in, over 85 Football NSW clubs from both Sydney Metropolitan and regional areas gathered for a dynamic day of workshops, panels, and special guest speakers, celebrating community football.

Presented by Stephanie Brantz, the Conference included keynote addresses from Karen Jones, Acting CEO of Destination NSW and Chief Executive of the NSW Office of Sport, Dr. Catriona Rose of the Australian Sports Commission, and Matildas cap #167, Ellie Brush.

After the successful second edition of the conference, Trevor Huxley, Football NSW’s Program Manager for Club Development, expressed his excitement over the strong support from the community.

“The Club Development Conference is a fantastic opportunity to bring together all levels of the game to learn from one another, network and discuss best practice for grassroots football,” said Huxley via press release.

“It has been inspiring to see grassroots clubs across the state in attendance, illustrating a remarkable commitment to supporting their local communities. It’s vital that Football NSW continues to lead in this space, providing support to the volunteers and local administrators who are central to the ongoing growth of our game.”

Along with the keynote speakers, attendees were able to choose sessions tailored to their Club or role, covering topics such as safeguarding, volunteerism, marketing and data analysis, infrastructure and grant funding, player and spectator behaviour, women & girls’ football, diversity and inclusion, and grassroots coach education.

The Football NSW Club Development Conference serves as a pivotal platform for enhancing community football by Empowering Clubs, Facilitating Networking, Offering Targeted Education and Showcasing Leadership.

By focusing on these areas, the conference plays a crucial role in strengthening community football, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring the sport’s sustainable growth.

To gain further details and access Club resources, click here.

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