'A step above the rest': Pedro Moreira named new Auckland FC coach

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Author: Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2026, 12:54pm

Auckland FC have appointed Pedro Moreira as their new head coach.

As exclusively revealed by the Herald last week, the 51-year-old Portuguese joins the A-League champions after a recent stint in Uzbekistan with Pakhtakor FC, which followed a spell in Portugal with S.C.U. Torreense and Casa Pia A.C.

He also has extensive experience as an assistant manager, with time spent at Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and AS Roma, winning trophies alongside Paulo Fonseca in Portugal and Ukraine.

Moreira said coming to New Zealand was a unique opportunity.

“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.”

He will take charge of his first game on August 26, against Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli in the 2026 Fifa Intercontinental Cup.

His backroom staff include Luke Casserly as assistant coach, Rafael Moreira as head analyst, Nathan Sherlock as head of performance and Danny Milosevic as goalkeeping coach.

Club owner Bill Foley said Moreira stood out from other candidates.

“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.”

Moreira takes over from Australian Steve Corica, the Black Knights’ first coach, who left in mid-June after two years in the position.

Corica won two major trophies during his tenure, the 2024-25 Premiers and 2025-26 Championship. He is now the coach at Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan’s J-League.