We don’t believe being a former Socceroo gives a coach an instant right to a second division coaching role.

There is a large talent base in the NPLs, proving themselves at the NPL coalface week in week out.

The second division by rights should be for those who are on their way up from the NPL. 

PLUS...

Meet Australia's top 10 coaches for the second division Part I

FTBL believes in the quality of Australia’s coaches. But with such a small number of A-League clubs opportunity has been frustratingly limited: Enter the second division.

 Here are the final five coaches to round out the top 10.

Damian Zane: currently head coach Edgeworth Eagles in the NNSW NPL 

The Hunter is producing eye-catching coaching talent.

Broadmeadow’s Ruben Zadkovich is on this top 10 list.

And Keelan Hamilton at New Lambton FC could well make the list in 2020.

Zane, right now, however, is a no-brainer.

Some astute observers believe if he was coaching in the higher-profile Victorian NPL, for example, he would've already been on the A-League radar.

Zane is a legend at clubs like Edgeworth with multiple titles. Limited opportunity means he’s still in the NNSW NPL.

He needs a new and bigger challenge. Like all the coaches on our top 10 list. 

The second division is where Zane should be in the next stage of his progression. How far he goes is up to him, but the experience he’s gained will be invaluable.

You can’t say he hasn’t done his apprenticeship.

 

Mark Crittenden: currently Blacktown City Head of Football in the NSW NPL

“Critto” was born to coach.

He’s been doing it since he was 16.

His achievements at NPL level - and versatility - are astounding. Check this out.  

  • NPL1 Championship – 2014 and 2016
  • NPL1 Premiers – 2015
  • FFA NPL Champions – 2015
  • FFA Cup Round of 32 – 2014 and 2015
  • FFA Cup Quarter Finals – 2016 and 2017

 Fans will remember him as the mastermind behind the Demons’ FFA Cup runs in recent years (the Danny Choi wondergoal jog your memory?)

Only around 40 years of age, Crittenden is the sort of coach who could set up the structure and build a club around his philosophy with is wide experience coaching juniors, youth, and seniors.

A perfect choice for the second division and with so much experience, he fully deserves his chance to build a new dynasty in the pro ranks.

Rick Coghlan, currently head coach at Devonport Strikers FC in Tasmania NPL

We’re excited to include this fresh face in our top 10.

Barely out of his 20s, London-born Coghlan is currently in his first season coaching Apple Isle powerhouse Devenport Strikers.

His journey has been exactly what we’re looking for in the next generation.

It’s been varied but always centered on learning the coaching game from different viewpoints.

He holds an FFA/AFC A Licence, was Gold Coast United’s football operations manager and the under 20/youth team head coach.

He has also been University of Queensland FC’s women’s head coach, Central Coast Mariners’ A-League Academy head coach and performance phase assistant coach,  Football Queensland’s state coach at the National Youth Championships and Youth NPL head coach at Gold Coast City FC.

In addition, he had a Technical Training Program Head Coach role in the USA.

We like his well-rounded CV and can see why in a professional environment he’d thrive.

That doesn’t mean he’s lacking in a fire, though.

The Valley Road boss received a fine recently for his comments around the officiating in a Cup game, in which he said the ref had “bottled it” in the big moments.

We like Coghlan's style, and even though he’s low profile nationally, we can see a future for him in a second division environment and beyond. 

 

Warren Moon: currently head coach Lions FC in the QLD NPL

Roar fans may recall their English-born former player.

He was part of the initial Queensland Roar squad alongside the likes of Chad Gibson, Karl Dodd, and Jonti Richter.

But since then Moon, now 37, has methodically built his coaching philosophy in the semi-pro ranks.

Lions FC has caught the eye in recent years and it’s largely due to Moon’s vision and quiet authority.

Their FFA Cup runs and success in Queensland testament to this 30-something coach’s evolving coaching style and quality.

He doesn’t get much PR outside of the Sunshine State, but that doesn’t mean he can’t become a success in the professional national arena. He’d be worth looking at.

Like Ben Cahn at Olympic FC, he’s transforming QLD’s NPL with his fresh ideas.  

 

Yané Talcevski: currently Rockdale Suns U18s coach in NSW

 The former Young Socceroo has spent much of the last 15 years learning about coaching around the world and in Australian with regular trips, immersing himself in foreign football cultures.

This includes visits to watch his hero Marcelo Bielsa work at Atletico Bilbao and Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid and Juan Carlos Carcedo (former assistant with Unai Emery). 

If there’s a second division club looking to build a young side for the future, there’s few better at brining through that type of side.

After his career wound down in 2006 in Malta, he began his coaching journey, which took him to clubs around the world.

He’s since worked in the junior and youth development system with FFA and FNSW in the Skillaroos program, but more importantly has worked with some emerging Aussie talents including Isaac Danzo at Levante in Spain, Joel King at Sydney FC, Con Ouzounidis from Everton, Tyrese Francios at Fulham FC and the highly-rated Rami Najjarine at Melbourne City (where he helped develop his skills at the FNSW Institute / FFA Skillaroos).

Build a young, exciting club to take on the second division?

If that's the brief, Talcevski might just be ideal.