Steve Corica's decade of A-League coaching rewarded

12:05 am today

Auckland FC coach Steve Corica Photo: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz

Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica's influence on the A-League has been recognised for a second time with his selection as coach of the Professional Footballers Australia A-League Team of the Decade for 2015-2025.

This is not Corica's first appearance in the PFA A-League Team of the Decade. During his playing days with Sydney FC he was named as a substitute in the 2005-2015 team alongside the likes of Kevin Muscat, Adama Traoré and Allesandro Del Piero.

Corica joined Auckland FC in the club's debut season in 2024/25 and guided the club to the Premiers Plate. Prior to that he had coached Sydney FC since 2018 and won two A-League Premierships and a Championship.

Chosen exclusively by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) members - past and present A-League Men players - the Team of the Decade was selected in a 4-3-3 formation, comprising a starting XI, seven substitutes, a coach, and a referee.

Corica had an involvement with eight players selected for the team.

"This is a really special award. I was a little surprised as there are some big names who have had incredible coaching careers over the past 10 years but I'm happy and honoured to be recognised in this way," Corica said.

"I am grateful to everyone who voted for me and everyone I have worked with across my career; players, coaches, staff. I especially want to thank my family. It is not always easy for football families, they have to endure a lot, the highs and lows. But today is definitely a high."

Auckland FC chief executive officer Nick Becker said Corica was "incredibly deserving" of the award.

"He has had an incredible A-League career, consistently winning silverware as a player, assistant coach and head coach. Everyone at Auckland FC is phenomenally proud of him and his achievements."

For the next decade Corica is taking a global approach.

"I have ambitions at some stage to coach overseas as well, as a player I wanted to play overseas and try against the best level you can and as a coach it's no different for me. I'm quite ambitious, 20 years in the A-League I think at some stage I'd like to try overseas and see what happens after that," Corica said.