Sky Blues legend Steve Corica will begin his coaching career as the club’s National Youth League coach this season.
Club legend Steve Corica will begin his professional coaching career at the club he led to two Hyundai A-League titles with Sydney FC today officially announcing he will take charge of the Sky Blues National Youth League team from this season.
Corica played 106 A-League games for the Sky Blues and is the clubs greatest ever goal scorer with 23 goals, including the match winning strike that handed the Sky Blues the inaugural A-League title in 2005/06.
Devastatingly, he missed the Sky Blues 2009/10 Grand Final triumph after sustaining a season-ending hamstring injury during the final round of the regular season but his leadership and experience were invaluable in the team-s all conquering season.
The 36-year-old will know utilise those qualities as he takes charge of his first coaching assignment.
Working closely with the club-s championship winning A-League coach Vitezslav Lavicka, Corica has begun putting together an entertaining and talented side of young footballers.
“Coaching is something I-ve always wanted to do and I am obviously very happy to be given my first opportunity by Sydney FC,” Corica said. “It is going to be a whole new experience but I am ready for this challenge.”
“While I was recovering from surgery I watched a lot of DVD-s, did a lot of scouting and I have been to many State League games recently too. I have really enjoyed doing that. It has been different being on the other side of things but it has been exciting.
“You need to be organised, be prepared and conscious of everything that is going on. I have already had great support from the club and from Vitja. A few of the boys have also offered to help out.”
Sydney FC claimed the inaugural National Youth League title in 2008/09, a side that featured current Sky Blues Kofi Danning, Rhyan Grant, Brendan Gan, Matt Jurman and Antony Golec. The side finished fifth in 2009/10, only missing the finals on for and against.
The Sky Blues A-League and NYL teams will form closer ties this season with training regimes, coaching philosophies and recovery work to mirror each other.
“The youth team is very important to the club. It brings through and develops new, young players and simply we want to be successful from day one this season. We are a very successful club and we are going to make the youth team a big part of that.” Corica said.
“There is a lot of experience at the club, especially with the likes of Vitja, Michal Zach, John Filan and Tony Popovic. I will be able to bounce things of them.
“I have been looking at a lot of games and a lot of players and we are putting together a strong team. We will announce the full squad in the next few weeks.”
Sydney FC NYL team results:
2008/09 – Champions: W-14, D-2, L-3
2009/10 – Fifth: W-11, D-6, L-6
