A-League: Auckland FC Focus

Auckland FC are the latest addition to the A-League and will be keen to hit the ground running in their debut campaign.

Auckland FC were only established on 14th March 2024, when they officially announced their name, logo and inaugural home kit.

Terry McFlynn was also announced as the new Director of Football, and since then it has been full steam ahead to get ready for the new season.

Not too much can be expected of Auckland in their debut season, but they are priced at 3.40 to get off to a flyer and make the top six.

Macarthur FC, Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets are all below them in the betting, so Auckland FC could be in the mix for finals.

Let’s take a look at how Auckland FC are shaping up for the new season.

. What: 2024/25 A-League season
. Where: Venues across Australia and New Zealand
. When: October 2024-May 2025
. How to watch: Paramount+, Channel 10
. Odds (Grand Final): Central Coast Mariners 5.00, Melbourne Victory 5.50, Melbourne City 6.00, Auckland FC 15.00

Experienced Corica takes the helm

Auckland FC could not be in much better hands after it was announced that Steve Corica would be their new head coach.

Corica has vast experience in the A-League, tasting premiership and championship success while being head coach of Sydney FC.

He left Sydney midway through the 2023/24 A-League campaign and, after a short break, was recruited by Auckland FC.

Former centre-back Danny Hay, who enjoyed spells in England and the A-League, has been named as Corica’s assistant, having previously enjoyed a spell as New Zealand head coach.

Jonathan Gould was named as goalkeeping coach and Auckland FC are now ready to go following a busy time recruiting new players.

Squad shaping up nicely

The Auckland FC recruitment team have been busy building a squad to ensure they have what it takes to be competitive in the A-League this season.

The squad is largely made up of players from New Zealand, but there have been some arrivals from overseas to help them on their way.

There are also a number of players who know what the A-League is all about. 

Scott Galloway is one, having made 92 appearances for Melbourne City from 2019 to 2024. The defender has also represented Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United.

Jake Brimmer is another after 99 appearances for Melbourne Victory, so the experience is there.

As far as overseas arrivals are concerned, Japan international defender Hiroki Sakai is arguably the biggest capture. He made 145 appearances for French giants Marseille, while the 34-year-old also played in Germany with Hannover 96.

Belgium midfielder Louis Verstraete is also on board, along with Uruguay forward Guillermo May and Chile midfielder Luis Felipe Gallegos.

Opening fixtures

Auckland FC’s very first game in the A-League will be on home soil at Mount Smart Stadium against Brisbane Roar.

They then entertain Corica’s former club Sydney FC, before their first big derby clash against Wellington Phoenix the week after.

A trip to Macathur FC is next, before they wrap up November with a home clash against Newcastle Jets.