The National Soccer League Coach of the Year was an annual soccer award presented to coaches in Australia. It recognised the most outstanding manager in the National Soccer League each season. The award was established in the first NSL season, 1977.
In 1977, it was given to Rale Rasic who came second in the NSL season that year with Marconi. The last winner of the award was Mich d'Avray, who won the 2003–04 season with Perth Glory. Eddie Thomson won the award three times, the most for an NSL manager.
Winners SeasonManagerNationalityClubRef1977, Marconi1978Sydney City1979Marconi1980—South Melbourne1981Sydney City1982, St George1983 , St George1984 Sydney City1985 Sydney City1986Melbourne City1987 , APIA1988South Melbourne1989Marconi1989–90 Marconi1990–91Adelaide City1991–92Wollongong City1992–93—South Melbourne1993–94—Melbourne Knights1994–95 Adelaide City1995–96Adelaide City1996–97, Sydney United1997–98South Melbourne1998–99Sydney United1999–2000Perth Glory2000–01South Melbourne2001–02Newcastle United2002–03Northern Spirit2003–04, Perth Glory
Multiple winners AwardsPlayerTeamSeasons3 Eddie ThomsonSydney City1981, 1984, 19852 Frank ArokSt George1982, 19832 Berti MarianiMarconi1989, 1989–902 Zoran MatićAdelaide City1990–91, 1994–95
Awards won by nationality CountryWinsa12b7b43211 aOnly managers with a verifiable nationality are included
bFrank Arok, Rale Rasic and Branko Culina are included in both totals
Awards won by club ClubWinsSouth MelbourneSydney CityMarconiAdelaide CitySt GeorgeSydney UnitedPerth GloryMelbourne CityAPIAWollongong CityMelbourne KnightsNewcastle UnitedNorthern Spirit
References