Ex-Football Australia head of national performance Luke Casserly lured to New Zealand

The former boss of Football Australia’s national performance staff is on the move and will play a leading role with an A-League club.

Football Australia’s former head of national performance Luke Casserly is set to play a leading role in the development of New Zealand’s best young players after his services were snared by Auckland FC.

Casserly, 51, has joined Auckland’s A-League coaching staff and will also guide the fortunes of the club’s under-21 team that will this year join the New Zealand National League.

The Sydney-born former Socceroos defender was FA’s head of national performance from October 2013 to November 2019.

Casserly has remained involved with the sport as head of football at Hills United, which is this year playing in the NSW NPL Two competition.

Out for redemption⚔️ pic.twitter.com/5vatQGHH0K

— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) February 9, 2025

Casserly’s move to Auckland will reunite him with his former Marconi and Socceroos teammate Steve Corica, who is the head coach of a Black Knights side that has taken the A-League by storm in its debut year in the competition.

Auckland is sitting on top of the A-League ladder, two points clear of second-placed Adelaide United.

The Black Knights, who are owned by American billionaire Bill Foley, who also is the owner of English Premier League club Bournemouth, have lost only two of their 15 games this season.

Having had the weekend bye, Auckland returns to action on Saturday with an away game against Western United, who beat the Black Knights 4-0 at Go Media Stadium in December.