Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC has recruited Matthew Nash as the club’s new Head Goalkeeper Coach with John Crawley taking up a well-deserved opportunity to join the Socceroos.
Crawley has enjoyed four highly successful seasons with the Sky Blues winning two Championships, two Premierships and an FFA Cup winners medal, and Nash comes from a long line of Crawley’s students both as a player and as a coach.
Nash played under Crawley from the age of 15 and has spent six years under his tutelage, including two years where he was mentored as a coach.
The 38-year old was also the second goalkeeper to represent Sydney FC, as an injury replacement for Clint Bolton in 2007, with Bolton having been ever present during the first two Hyundai A-League seasons.
On joining the Sky Blues Nash said: “It’s a huge honour for me to be returning to Sydney FC at a time when they are looking to defend their Hyundai A-League Championship, and also to be replacing John who has been a mentor of mine for many years.
“He’s a man I respect as a person and for what he has done for goalkeeping in this country.
“He has taught me much of what I know and I am looking forward to continuing that work with the coaching staff here as well as Andrew [Redmayne] and Tommy [Heward-Belle].”
Crawley is widely regarded as Australia’s number one goalkeeper coach and leaves having received the call of his country.
“I’ve had a fantastic four years at Sydney FC and I can’t thank the club enough for what I have been allowed to achieve here and where it has taken me.
“I’d like to thank the Chairman and the Board of Directors, the players and all of the staff throughout the club.
“In particular I’d like to pay tribute to Steve Corica, who in his first stint as a Head Coach has shown just how adept he is tactically, as well as being a very good man-manager.
“I am also very appreciative for the help he gave me throughout what turned out to be a great season.”
Crawley also gave his seal of approval at the appointment of Nash.
“Matty is the perfect person to take over. He has got A-League experience and is no stranger to Sydney FC.
“He is certainly well versed in my coaching methodology.
“I first coached him at 15 at the New South Wales Institute of Sport and then at the Mariners, and I could always tell he’d be a very good coach in his own right.
“He has always been a deep thinker with regard to goalkeeper coaching, and I think he is the perfect transition for Andrew Redmayne and Tom Heward-Belle.”
Head Coach Steve Corica also welcomed Nash to the club.
“Matthew is an excellent young and upcoming coach and comes very highly recommended,” he said.
“Having played alongside Nash and at training I know what a good person and character he is to have around the club, and I am looking forward now to working with him in a coaching role.”
Nash also served as an injury replacement for the club during the Hyundai A-League 2012-13 season however was not called upon to play.
