FFA Cup: Former Joey John Maisano building new career coaching Bulleen Lions

John Maisano struggled with depression after he retired from professional football. But diving into coaching has helped him rekindle his love for the game.

John Maisano playing for Marconi against Parramatta Power. Picture: Phil Blatch

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Former Australia youth international John Maisano’s post-career mental demons are symptomatic of many ex professionals.

Thankfully, Maisano has emerged from a long battle with depression to headline an emerging batch of Aussie coaches, as his Bulleen side takes on fellow Victorians Moreland Zebras in Wednesday night’s FFA Cup clash.

The ex-attacker’s woes plagued him daily, a stark contrast to his emergence in the ‘90s as a star of Harry Kewell’s and Brett Emerton’s Australian Joeys side that made the quarterfinals of the U17 World Cup.

He then debuted in the Serie A – then the best league in the world – and played in the Belgian top tier as a teenager before stints in Australia and Scotland.

“I was always in a rush, thought I was better than I was instead of focusing on the moment and working harder,’’ Maisano said.

John Maisano playing for Marconi against Parramatta Power. Picture: Phil Blatch

“I thought I deserved to play regularly. I was cocky, not humble enough.

“You’re a dumb kid, didn’t have much guidance. I was coached by (Italy Euro 2012 coach) Cesare Prandelli, played against Andrea Pirlo at Brescia, and 90 per cent of our youth squad had good careers.

“Later I went through depression. I retired because I couldn’t cope with many things mentally. I gave the game up.”

The players union, who helped Maisano and many others with their tailored and subsidised coach education courses, said footballers were susceptible.

John Maisano (right), pictured in action for Marconi, also played in Italy, Belgium and Scotland. Picture: Brett Costello.

“Football is particularly tough because of the constant dislocation between cities and countries, so we work hard with players past and present - because the future is so unpredictable,’’ players chief John Didulica said.

“It's chaotic and requires significant resilience.”

Maisano, 40, revealed that the turning point came while attending an A-League Melbourne derby.

“I opened up a business (gym), but the same symptoms kept arising,’’ he said.

“I couldn’t talk about football without getting upset. I couldn’t watch games without going into dazes, mood swings.

John Maisano during his NSL days. He has been open about his battles with depression. Picture: Dean Marzolla

“I attended a Victory-City game and the boys on the Victory bench came and said hello. When I got back to my seat, my wife (Leanne) had looked up all the coaching courses and said ‘you keep fighting it. This is where you need to be’.

“It’s been full throttle since. I complete my A Licence next month.

“You’re only human, I deal with it everyday. All the mistakes I made as a player, I don’t want to make them as a coach. I could’ve achieved a helluva lot more. That’s what drives me.”

Like many ambitious coaches – who in most countries abroad would be working full-time – Maisano works as a labourer due to the lack of professional opportunities in Australia for coaches and players alike.

But the FFA Cup has given the likes of Maisano a deserved national platform for exposure.

Originally published as FFA Cup: Former Joey John Maisano building new career coaching Bulleen Lions