Auckland FC lock in Pedro Moreira as coach for A-League season

Auckland FC's search for a new coach has ended with the appointment of experienced Portuguese manager Pedro Moreira, who has been out of a job for more than year.Moreira joins the A-League champions with a resume stacked with assistant and head coach roles in leagues in Uzbekistan, Portugal, Italy and Ukraine.He replaces Steve Corica who was the club's inaugural coach and left for a coaching role in Japan.Moreira began his managerial career in Portugal with SCU Torreense in 2022 and then Casa Pia AC. He was most recently in Uzbekistan with Pakhtakor FC, guiding the club to the later stages of the AFC Asian Champions League and at the beginning of their ride to a second-place finish.Most of Moreira's coaching career has been working under fellow countryman Paulo Fonseca who is currently with Olympique Lyon in France's Ligue 1. The duo worked together for a decade across five different clubs.The pair started working together with FC Paços Ferreira in 2012-2013 and went on to manage some of Europe's top sides, winning trophies in Portugal and Ukraine.Moreira's world tour lands the 51-year-old in a competition currently at odds with its players as the players' union has yet to agree to terms in the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the upcoming season."Coming in to coach this side in a country that is still developing its love of the beautiful game is a unique opportunity that I can't wait to get started with," Moreira said."This is a young club, but a highly successful club that has set the bar in terms of performance. It's already won two trophies alongside the best fans in the league."Being able to bring more success here and to continue to develop these exciting young players is something I'm really looking forward to."Moreira was appointed by Auckland FC after utilising the support of their owner Bill Foley's extensive Black Knight Football Group network.Pedro Moreira coaching at his last club, Pakhtakor FC.NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL"After an extensive search, Pedro was someone who really stood out for us," Foley said."Off the back of the club's successful first two seasons we wanted to maintain that momentum and appoint someone who would come into the league and be a step above the rest."We believe Moriera is that person."He's got a wealth of experience, 15 years at a senior level in Europe, 10 years in youth development roles. Pedro is the guy to keep this team right at the top of the A-League and bring more silverware to the city."'Fans can feel confident'Auckland FC chief executive officer Nick Becker said, "when his name came up in the coaching search, we knew he was the guy"."He really impressed us during the interview stage with his tactical knowledge and understanding of our ambition, connection to the city and direction as a club."The fans can feel confident and assured going into the new season."The club's director of football Terry McFlynn said replacing Corica was a "big challenge"."We took our time and now have someone who the club has a lot of confidence in."Pedro brought into the vision of our club, particularly our focus on youth and developing player pathways."We now have our coaching line-up for the season settled. Everyone at the club is now keen to get started as we continue preparation for season three."Moreira's first major game in charge will be the Fifa Intercontinental Cup match on 26 August against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli.Auckland qualified for the tournament by winning the new Oceania Football Confederation Pro League final and will send a team of players from both the A-League and OFC.Auckland kicked off pre-season with an exhibition game against Tottenham Hotspur at Eden Park last week with OFC coach Luke Casserley temporarily in charge while the club waited on Moreira's arrival.Casserly will be an assistant coach, Rafael Moreira, who is no relation to the new coach, is head analyst, Nathan Sherlock, head of performance and Danny Milosevic will be the goalkeeper coach.The A-League kicks off in October with Auckland playiing at home against Melbourne City on 17 October.