Ante Juric

Sydney FC coach Ante Juric during warm-ups in Gosford ahead of a match against the Central Coast Mariners. Photo: Texi Smith

Nine years after Ante Juric commenced his managerial career as an assistant coach at Sydney FC, destiny guided him back to the same club for his first club manager role in 2017. Since then, he’s been near-faultless.

Three championships in seven seasons with the Sky Blues have rightly elevated him to the next level regarding career aspirations. So much so, that he was touted as one of the possible candidates to take over the vacant head coaching position at the Matildas.

While it’s true that Juric has been blessed with an array of talent with the likes of Lisa De Vanna, Chloe Logarzo, Alanna Kennedy and Caitlin Foord to name a bunch, his coaching style has continually brought out the best in his squads.

Tactically, he’s very adaptable. Implementing attacking and entertaining football? Tick. Building strong defensive structures? Yes. He’s also a brilliant man-manager and someone who players want to leave everything out on the pitch for.

At some stage, however, all good dynasties must sadly come to an end, and in Sydney’s current situation, you can’t help but feel the club is stuck on a page whether to fully invest in the rebuilding process or push for another championship.

The club experienced more turnover than they probably would’ve hoped losing Cortnee Vine and Charlotte McLean, with the latter acting as a terrific replacement for the injured Natalie Tobin last season. Add Jada Whyman and Taylor Ray to that list, and you can see part of the reason why Sydney languishes second-bottom on the table after six rounds.

As underwhelming as Sydney’s start to the 2024/25 campaign has been, it should come as little surprise considering their track record in recent seasons.

In 2017/18 and 2018/19, Juric’s teams succumbed to three defeats in their opening four rounds, while last season the defending champions lost two from their first four games.

In each season, the panic button was never really hit. Why? Because if there was ever a manager who could pull their side out of a slump, it would be Juric.

Now, the difference this season is that the current squad lacks any form of identity on the pitch, not helped by their shape being all over the place at times, coupled with unusual mistakes that are being punished in transition.

But is there something deeper lingering beneath that explains why Juric may be closing on a potential exit?

In October, Juric was appointed head coach of Sydney United, where he won a title as a player in 2006. Two years ago, he guided Sydney Olympic to a Premiership in NPL Men’s NSW.

Perhaps this move so close to the season has contributed to Sydney’s poor run of form, providing an unwanted distraction in the dressing room.

Although Juric balanced two jobs impressively well in 2022, having clinched the Premiership with Olympic and the Premiers Plate with Sydney, it’s never easy to juggle multiple roles despite the NPL NSW Men’s season concluding.

With the NST on the path to a full home and away competition, the new Champions League model will impact the start of the season, with it due to start in October 2025, which is around when the 2025/26 A-League Women season is expected to commence.

Despite his best efforts, inaugural Western United women’s coach, Mark Torcaso, made the tough decision to resign from his role to fully focus on his commitments to coaching the Philippines national women’s team, after attempting to juggle both roles.

In Sydney’s case, it may well be that the squad is in desperate need of a fresh voice and new ideas as Juric enters his eighth year at the club. And it’s understandable considering the 51-year-old’s constant high demands in terms of intensity and tireless work rate.

Is Juric capable of turning things around before it’s too late? Absolutely. Will the squad be able to buy into his philosophy and show the character required to make that possible? Early signs indicate no.

With Wellington away, followed by the Big Blue and a Grand Final rematch against Melbourne City, this is by far Juric’s biggest test yet.

Listen to the latest episode of The Dubcast, Round Ball Australia’s Women’s Football podcast on Spotify, Apple, or watch on YouTube.

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