The reception

Sydney will be hoping that Corica's top-flight experience and legendary status at the club will hold the appointment in good stead among Sky Blues fans, despite the seemingly unambitious search for a replacement.

The Sky Blues' average attendance dipped by almost 4,000 people last season, despite mirroring the emphatic performances of the previous campaign. If Corica is expected to have a galvanising effect on the harbour faithful, the pressure will only increase upon the novice coach. 

Sydney may also be hoping that the experience of his playing staff will compensate for his lack of head coaching nous. But while the 45-year-old is aiming for progression, rather than consolidation, the subtext is clear: if it ain't broken, don't fix it. 

"I'm very honoured to be named head coach," Corica said. "It's now my time to take this club forward, we've got a very talented group of players.

"We don't want to change too much, we've had great success over the last two years. We want to win trophies, but they'll be hearing my voice now.

"We want to keep things going in the same direction.

"I have a lot of respect for The Cove, I'm looking forward to the future and I want them to come along on this journey as well."

In Corica's favour, he becomes the fifth managerial change in the A-League next season, alongside Mike Mulvey at the Mariners, Tony Popovic at Perth Glory, (likely) Chris Greenacre at Wellington Phoenix and a yet unnamed coach at Western Sydney Wanderers.

This creates a position of relative upheaval at other clubs, which Sydney's calm transition may seek to avoid.

But with considerable uncertainty over the makeup of Sydney's squad next season and several players still to sign new contracts, Corica's job may be more difficult than it seems.