Mark Rudan has made the transition seamlessly, transforming Phoenix into a well-drilled and attacking force in the A-League after his spell in the NPL.

And new A-League club Western Melbourne has given John Anastasiadis, from NPL VIC powerhouse Bentleigh Greens, a role as an assistant.

Anastasiadis has toiled for years Like many in the NPL, they really want it. Some have even moved from the NPL scene to overseas to further their careers.

We reckon there are more Rudans out there who would give their right arm for a chance in a pro environment.

Here are 10 we reckon should be looked at for the A-League as head coaches or assistants.

Abbas Saad

The six times capped Socceroo was the man behind Sydney Olympic's historic NPL NSW league and Grand Final double in 2018.

He was appointed right before the season kicked off and without having a pre-season, he came to the aid of a club where he became a star in the 80s and 90s.

He may not have spent much time in the country in recent decades, but that makes him even more valuable to an A-League club.

Saad is a huge star in Asia - particularly in the booming south-east Asia region - where he is revered for winning league and cup titles in Malaysia and in Singapore.

Saad has also worked as a TV pundit for many years across the region where he has a much bigger profile than here. Proof of that was in his guest appearance at Singapore NT training in October before their 2018 Suzuki Cup campaign.

His career is unique, spanning Asia and Australia and was highly-rated, Terry Venables picked him for the Socceroos in the 1990s.

His coaching CV prior to Olympic was a little patchy, Penrith Nepean United a decade ago, Technical Youth Director at Olympic and head coach of the Australian Deaf Football Team, as well as some coaching experience in Malaysia.

But the 51-year-old was an instant success in the NPL last year with Olympic. 

And for A-League clubs, his ability to scout and attract the best talent in south-east Asia would be a huge boon right now.

While in Singapore he identified Lions’ rising star Shakir Hamzah as a defender who could step up in the A-League. Saad told FTBL recently: “Obviously the tactical side is one thing, but it’s the confidence and belief that I’ve given the players.

"Coaching, a lot of it is man management. I know that being a former player it’s about how you are managed and how you can get the best out of the player.”