Star signings Douglas Costa and Juan Mata signal start of new era for A-League after troubled year

Bouncing back from one of the most difficult 12 months in its history, the A-League has landed on its feet – with star signings and new leadership triggering a dramatic revival. Here's how they did it.

The time has come for a new A-League era.

It is no secret that the A-Leagues had a rough 12 months – with plenty of behind the scenes dramas – but with new leadership locked in and necessary cuts made the 20th season of the A-Leagues will herald a new era.

From staff cuts to financial woes, clubs without owners and the distribution fund slashed – the Australian Professional Leagues had a lot to deal with this past year.

Paramount+ football expert Andy Harper said there was a real sense of a “reboot” ahead of the season kicking off this weekend.

“There was an amazing season on the field last year which was running in completely the opposite direction of what was happening off the field,” Harper said.

“We’ve had the most interesting Australia Cup competition, we’ve had a good look at some of the A-League teams and there is a good atmosphere around the competition at the moment in anticipation. It really speaks to the amazing commitment of the fans and incredible resilience of the game.”

Douglas Costa has landed in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire

And on the other side of the city? Juan Mata. Picture: Getty

The significant cuts to club’s budgets does not appear to have hampered their off-season plans – with Sydney FC picking up Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa and Western Sydney Wanderers landing English Premier League and World Cup winner Juan Mata.

Harper said they were moves that had left many surprised.

“Credit where credit is due and a huge congratulations because the last big news story that came out was how much the club distributions had shrunk and it left the clubs really without the funding to undertake these sort of investments but they’ve gone ahead and done it anyway,” he said.

“It is a great show of leadership by those clubs who’ve taken that approach. I hope their bravery is rewarded.”

Harper said it highlighted the “reboot” and clubs really were willing to just strap themselves back in and get ready for a new season.

“There was a huge expectation in the fan groups that this was not what was going to take place and we were in for a bit of a longer haul back to what we hope is going to be the promised land,” he said.

Douglas Costa has had a taste of Sydney FC, playing in last month’s AFC Champions League. Picture: AFP

THE GREATEST SHOW

The two biggest signings of the off-season Costa and Mata will face off in the opening round with the Sydney derby at CommBank Stadium.

Fans have already had a look at Costa with the Sky Blues playing in the Asian Champions League Two competition.

Harper said it had been years since there had been this much excitement around an opening match.

“Game one at CommBank Stadium is going to be something to see – which is where the derby was not long ago,” Harper said.

“It was one of the top ticket items on the Sydney sports menu and it’s seemingly going to make some very determined strides to get back there.”

It will be an important outing for the Wanderers – they have a new coach and revamped squad. The 2016 championship winners, who last won a premiership back in 2012, missed the finals series last season.

Alen Stajcic has a task on his hands to revive the Wanderers to their former status as A-League heavyweights. Picture: Getty

Alen Stajcic has moved in as coach in a bid to help guide them back to the top of the table.

“You feel like saying it’s now or never for the Wanderers and it’s been like that for a few years,” Harper said.

“I think (Stajcic) has got a great opportunity – he is a very good coach, he’s got good people around him, there have been other changes at the club.

“The Wanderers, as everyone has tasted, is just a massive thing for football in this country and everybody would accept that the competition needs the Wanderers firing – it’s good for everyone.

“They just bring so much to the game when they are plugged in – that is what we are going to see and get another taste of in the round one derby.”

Can anyone stop the Mariners? Armed with the A-League’s smallest budget, they’ve shocked the league the past two years. Picture: Getty

MATCH THE MARINERS

A three-peat – that is what minnows Central Coast Mariners will look to do this season.

The Mariners, the club with the smallest budget in the A-Leagues, have been practically unstoppable these past two seasons. Former chairman and owner Richard Peil stepping away from the club last week should have little impact on the team’s ability to perform on the pitch.

Melbourne City was the last “big club” to win the A-League’s championship – back in 2020/21.

Since then the league’s famous toilet-seat shaped championship trophy has lived with the underdogs.

The Mariners have had some significant squad changes this off-season with Johnny Warren Medallist Josh Nisbet, Max Ballard, Jacob Farrell and Dan Hall departing and veteran goalkeeper Danny Vukovic retiring.

Harper said this was not unusual for the Mariners and their slow start in the Australia Cup and Asian Champions League Elite didn’t rule them out for the season.

“They go through changes every year, no one expected them to do the back to back,” Harper said.

Macarthur FC claimed the Australia Cup – and can’t be ruled out as contenders. Picture: Getty

“Even when you think back to this time last year it was what is Mark Jackson going to do post Nick Montgomery – they lost their first four games and everyone was predicting one of those stories in sport where you go from the penthouse to the outhouse in the space of an off-season – and somehow from there they won everything.

“They are a wonderful story, the best in Australian men’s football, either side of Graham Arnold’s World Cup heroics – what the Mariners have done to pick themselves back up off the canvas and be the best club in Australia is truly remarkable.”

It doesn’t mean it will be an easy journey to the top though.

New club Auckland FC are looking sharp, Australia Cup winners Macarthur FC can’t be ruled out, Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Wanderers are all in with a chance as well.

VICTORY POST POPOVIC

Melbourne Victory have been on a rollercoaster ride these past few seasons – with Tony Popovic taking them from 11th to the grand final last season.

Victory last won the premiership in 2014/15 and the championship in 2017/18.

Patrick Kisnorbo, the former Melbourne City boss, is taking the reins for at least the next three seasons.

He is off to a great start – guiding them to the grand final of the Australia Cup.

If past results are anything to go by, Victory seem to either fly or fail to take off.

Harper said Kisnorbo will definitely have to get the fans back on side after leaving Daniel Arzani out of the Cup team but Nishan Velupillay would bring a new level of confidence after scoring on debut for the Socceroos against China last week.

Originally published as Star signings Douglas Costa and Juan Mata signal start of new era for A-League after troubled year