Coaches Circle - Latest News

Coaches Circle 15 shines spotlight on Julen Lopetegui

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Coaches Circle 15 shines spotlight on Julen Lopetegui

Kuala Lumpur: Julen Lopetegui, who led Qatar to their maiden FIFA World Cup qualification on merit in October last year, takes centre stage in the latest edition of Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com.

Hailing from Spain’s Basque Country, the 59-year-old boasts of serving as custodian for both La Liga giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, while his impressive managerial career has also spanned various age groups across the Spain’s national teams as well as reputed clubs across Europe, including Spain’s Sevilla FC, Portugal’s FC Porto, and English sides West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, before taking the reins of the Al Annabi in May 2025.

Coaches Circle 14: Trevor Morgan lifts lid on Australia’s #AFCU20 success

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Coaches Circle 14: Trevor Morgan lifts lid on Australia’s #AFCU20 success

Kuala Lumpur: Australia’s Trevor Morgan, who led them to their maiden AFC U20 Asian Cup™ triumph earlier this year, headlines the latest edition of Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com.

A familiar name in Australia’s youth football scene, Morgan’s coaching resume ranges from roles at A-League academies and Football Australia’s development programmes to guiding the U17 national team to the knockout stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2019, before ending the Young Socceroos’ decade-long trophy drought in China PR at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ 2025.

Latest Coaches Circle shines spotlight on Kevin Muscat

Tue, 28 Jan, 2025

Latest Coaches Circle shines spotlight on Kevin Muscat

Kuala Lumpur: In the latest edition of Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com, the spotlight is on Australia’s Kevin Muscat, current head coach of reigning Chinese Super League champions Shanghai Port.

After hanging his boots up, Muscat stepped into the role of Melbourne Victory manager, where he had previously played for over five years, and in just his second year in charge, led the team to an impressive A-League premiership-championship double.

Branko Ivankovic takes centre stage in latest Coaches Circle

Thu, 22 Aug, 2024

Branko Ivankovic takes centre stage in latest Coaches Circle

Kuala Lumpur: Croatia’s Branko Ivankovic, whose coaching career spans three decades, stars in the latest edition of Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com.

Ivankovic, currently at the helm of the China PR national team after leading Oman in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, is one of the Continent’s most decorated coaches, having managed some of Asia’s most renowned clubs including the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC, China PR’s Shandong Taishan, and Saudi Arabian sides Al Ettifaq and Al Ahli.

Japan’s Futoshi Ikeda stars in latest Coaches Circle

Tue, 26 Dec, 2023

Japan’s Futoshi Ikeda stars in latest Coaches Circle

Kuala Lumpur: The 11th edition of the Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com, puts the spotlight on Futoshi Ikeda, who led the Japanese women’s national team to a Quarter-final finish at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, their best since appearing in the final in 2015.

Recipient of the AFC President’s Special Recognition Award in 2018, under Ikeda’s guidance the Nadeshikos’ commendable performance also included a stunning 4-0 triumph over eventual champions Spain in the Group Stage of the global showpiece, while Hinata Miyazawa picked up the Golden Boot Award having scored five goals in the competition.

Socceroos tactician Graham Arnold headlines latest Coaches Circle

Thu, 03 Aug, 2023

Socceroos tactician Graham Arnold headlines latest Coaches Circle

Kuala Lumpur: The 10th issue of the Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com, shines the spotlight on Australia’s Graham Arnold who was amongst the Asian coaches making headlines at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

Under Arnold, the Socceroos earned their highest point tally at the Group Stage of the global showpiece to date and gave eventual world champions Argentina a late scare before ultimately losing 2-1 to end their remarkable campaign in the Round of 16.

Coaches Circle Issue 10 August 2023

Leonardo Jardim stars in the latest Coaches Circle edition

Thu, 05 Jan, 2023

Leonardo Jardim stars in the latest Coaches Circle edition

Kuala Lumpur: The ninth edition of the Coaches Circle is now available on the-AFC.com, and the latest issue casts the spotlight on former Al Hilal head coach Leonardo Jardim who guided the Saudi Arabian giants to the AFC Champions League™ title in 2021.

The Portuguese tactician, who has since moved onto Shabab Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates, provides an insightful overview on some of the crucial elements of success in a storied and well-travelled managerial career spanning more than 20 years. 

China PR’s head coach Shui Qingxia takes centre stage in the latest Coaches Circle

Thu, 14 Jul, 2022

China PR’s head coach Shui Qingxia takes centre stage in the latest Coaches Circle

Kuala Lumpur: The eighth issue of Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com, focuses on China PR’s winning head coach Shui Qingxia, who ended her country’s 16-year wait for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ trophy in February this year. 

Shui, who lifted the trophy five times as a player, became the first to win as both player and head coach after her team’s 3-2 victory over Korea Republic at the AFC Women's Asian Cup™ India 2022. 

Latest issue of the Coaches Circle published

Mon, 06 Dec, 2021

Latest issue of the Coaches Circle published

Kuala Lumpur: The seventh issue of the Coaches Circle is now available on the-AFC.com, with an exclusive interview with former United Arab Emirates’ Shabab Al Ahli head coach Mahdi Ali.

‘The Big Interview’ with the Shabab Al Ahli head coach focuses on how it all came together for Ali - his career as a midfielder, his first coaching qualification in England, and success in winning the UAE U19 title as a youth coach.

An engineer by trade, Ali took UAE to the 2012 London Olympics and he shares some of the important learning experiences as a coach. He also answers an age old question: Which is more challenging - leading a club or an international side?

Latest issue of the Coaches Circle now available

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Latest issue of the Coaches Circle now available

Kuala Lumpur: The sixth issue of the Coaches Circle is now available on the-AFC.com, with an exclusive interview with Japan national team head coach Hajime Moriyasu.

AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh also highlights the achievements of Asian trailblazers such as Said Al Owairan, Hidetoshi Nakata and Park Ji-sung, who have have all left a monumental legacy in the sport.
Roxburgh also stresses on the importance of nurturing local coach educators as they will eventually touch the lives of budding footballers and create a lasting impact.

Coaches Circle Issue 6 - May 2021