AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC is pleased to announce that Paul Posa will assume the role of head coach during the 2025 season.
This appointment comes as current head coach Albert Riera temporarily steps aside to pursue advanced coaching qualifications and spend quality time with his family following a relentless schedule since 2022.
Posa, 62, is a highly respected figure in Auckland City FC's history, having managed the team from December 2008 to June 2010.
During his tenure, he led the club to its best-ever performance at a FIFA Club World Cup up to that point, finishing fifth in the 2009-10 edition after victories over Al Ahli (2-0) and TP Mazembe (3-2).
Posa also secured the OFC Champions League and National League titles in his debut season, establishing himself as one of the club’s most successful coaches.
"I'm excited to be given the opportunity to lead the club into the new season and can't wait to get started.
"2025 is a special year for the club on a variety of fronts.
The players needed a big break after a tough schedule but we'll slowly begin to ramp preparation up very soon," he said.
Auckland City FC chairman Ivan Vuksich said: “Paul’s experience in leading the club during high-stakes competitions, like the FIFA Club World Cup, makes him an ideal choice as we prepare for the challenges ahead.
"We carefully considered asking Paul to return, and I am confident that under his leadership, the team will continue to build on its legacy of success."
Riera, who has overseen nearly 150 matches in three years, remains a vital part of Auckland City FC’s plans for the future.
The 41-year-old Riera led the club to three OFC Champions League titles, two National League titles, four Northern League and one Chatham Cup since taking over in 2022.
He also qualified the club for three FIFA Club World Cups, including this year's expanded version in the USA in June, and one FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Vuksich said: "The club fully supports Albert’s commitment to enhancing his coaching credentials and spending the time he needs with his family.
"Albert has neither resigned nor been dismissed from the head coach role. He has, however, stepped aside from his coaching responsibilities for the 2025 season.”
In other developments, goalkeeper coach Eñaut Zubikarai has departed to return to Spain after eight years of dedicated service.
A former Real Sociedad goalkeeper, Zubikarai joined Auckland City FC in 2016 and made 83 appearances, setting a record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal, 1, 404 minutes in total, during the 2017-18 season.
This streak constituted the third-longest of its kind of all time and remains the longest run of the 21st century, and of any European goalkeeper.
His influence extended to developing talented goalkeepers such as Conor Tracey, Cam Brown, and Joe Wallis, leaving a lasting legacy of strong goalkeeping stocks at the club.
Auckland City FC has commenced the search for a new goalkeeper coach and is committed to a thorough selection process to ensure the high standards set by Zubikarai are upheld.
Auckland City FC competes in the New Zealand Football National League Championship and Oceania Champions League.
In June, the club will play Bayern Munich (15 June 2025), SL Benfica (20 June 2025) and Boca Juniors (24 June 2025) at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the USA .
For further updates and information, please visit the official Auckland City FC website.
Ends
TBC 2025
Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | BU | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 16 | 20 |
2 | ![]() | AC | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 19 |
3 | ![]() | WS | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 16 | 18 |
4 | ![]() | NC | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 14 | 17 |
5 | ![]() | WP | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 19 | 13 |
6 | ![]() | WO | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 11 |
7 | ![]() | CS | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 11 |
8 | ![]() | CT | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 18 | 9 |
9 | ![]() | ES | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 5 |
10 | ![]() | WE | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 28 | 4 |