5. MARK RUDAN 

Season Club managed GM W D L W % D % L % GS GC
2018-19 Wellington Phoenix   28 11 7 10 39.29% 25% 35.71% 47 46

While Rudes' sudden surge in the coaching stocks may be a little overblown, the former Sydney United coach takes out fifth position on this list after a startling debut season.

He took a Wellington side that under Darije Kalezic didn't even look like they wanted to be in the competition and proved that Kiwis can kick a ball as well as the rest of us.

After an expectedly tough start to life across the ditch, his professional coaching debut quickly became a rollicking, mesmerising rise to finals contention.

Their mid-season record was among the best in the league, all kicked off by a thumping 3-1 win against Sydney at Kogorah, which arguably sprung the Champions into life.

The best part was the fiery, attractive football the Nix played along the way, born from Rudan's resurgence of fading lights like David Williams, Steven Taylor and Alex Rufer.

Of course, it all got a tad derailed by the Watergate-quality coverup of his Western United move. Next season will be the real test for Rudan.

But he may have single-handedly carved out greater opportunities for NPL coaches this season and that's worth getting excited about.