Auckland FC’s director of football, Terry McFlynn, has shared the club’s transfer ambitions following their remarkable first season in the Isuzu UTE A-League, announcing the arrival of three new players.
The Black Knights shattered numerous records and clinched the Premiership title during their inaugural A-Leagues venture, although they faced elimination in the Semi-Finals of the 2024-25 season.
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McFlynn confirmed that the club has already secured one new signing and is exploring the global market to identify further talent.
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“The positive aspect for us is the structure we established, aiming to avoid reassembling the squad annually,” McFlynn explained to aleagues.com.au.
“We staggered the contracts; some players are on one-year deals, others have two or three, a few even have four-year commitments.”
“We were determined to cultivate a squad with a degree of permanence, ensuring minimal turnover. I anticipate welcoming around three new players while potentially parting ways with four.”
“Alex will return to Bournemouth, having been on loan here. Max Mata goes back to Shrewsbury, so that’s two ensure departures. There may be one or two others, although we’ve already secured one signing, so we are looking to bring in a couple more, possibly three.”
“When it comes to recruitment, we are looking globally. Our focus is on identifying individuals with the right character and skill set who will enhance our team.”
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“We currently have one visa spot available. There’s no point in hastily filling it; we’ll take our time. As we did last year, we want to ensure the right player joins us. Our philosophy, shared by Steve, myself, and our Head of Recruitment, Dougie Kors, revolves around bringing in talent that will elevate our performance compared to the previous season.”
“We also analyse other teams to gauge suitability. When observing rivals like Melbourne City, if we identify a player who can compete in their squad, we’ll look to integrate them into ours and see where we stand come season’s end. As for scouting, we’ll explore markets far and wide.”
“Our most significant challenge presently is the exchange rate of the Kiwi dollar, which has depreciated 7% against the British pound over the past year, 6% against the Euro, and 2% against the US dollar.”
Although Auckland missed out on reaching the Grand Final and clinching the Championship, their debut season can only be described as a success.
The team drew impressive crowds at Go Media Stadium and achieved notable milestones throughout the 2024-25 season.
Auckland FC also successfully captured the hearts of the local community.
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“The approach (CEO) Nick (Becker) and the team adopted off the pitch, fostering connections, significantly eased our tasks within the football department,” recalled McFlynn, a Sydney FC legend.
“We knew we had to assemble a team that Auckland would take pride in. You could see the efforts paying off during the first five matches when we remained unbeaten. The players exhibited extraordinary dedication and grit, not just for themselves but for the city as well.”
“The foreign players we brought in genuinely embraced the initiative. They’re outstanding young men, family-oriented, and motivated by the right reasons. The main challenge for us was attracting visa players and understanding their motivations for joining a newly established football club in New Zealand.”
“It was essential to find the right personalities, and we succeeded. Hiroki Sakai is one of the most grounded individuals I’ve ever encountered, especially given his stature in global football.
“Overall, Steve is a proven winner. That was apparent from day one of pre-season; it was clear that every training session had a purpose, and there was no room for complacency. Each day offered an opportunity to improve, and the players embraced that ethos.”
“Elias Boukarim, our head of performance, may have been initially disliked for his rigorous approach, but once they realised his intentions were to foster their development, they came to appreciate him. They even chose to show up on their days off to work with him and get better. Observing how the coaching group collaborates, fosters team spirit, and collectively strives for success has been incredibly rewarding from my role.”
“We strive to create an enjoyable atmosphere. We gather for breakfast and lunch daily, and after training, we have a chef who prepares meals for the players. This camaraderie is evident in their performances on the pitch. On days off, they often engage in activities like golf together.”
“It’s wonderful to see young children walking around wearing Auckland FC jerseys. In local parks, despite the rugby goalposts, you’ll find many kids playing football now. It’s truly heartening to witness.”
“There was this memorable moment when Nick and I were having dinner after a game; a Kiwi boy came into the restaurant wearing a Guillermo May number 10 shirt. It’s remarkable to think that just 10 months ago, this jersey—and the club it represents—was non-existent.”
“The entire city has rallied behind us, and our aim now is to take it a step further next season.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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