Ahead of the start of the inaugural OFC Pro League in January, Auckland FC has announced Luke Casserly as head coach of the club’s Pro League team.
Casserly is currently head coach of Auckland FC Reserves team. The team currently sits fifth in the National League table and are unbeaten in five.
“It is a great opportunity for me personally and an exciting time for football across the region,” says Casserly.
“It will be an honour to coach this team and support the further development of talented Kiwi players in a professional setting.”
Pro League rules and A-League commitments mean the OFC Pro League team will be a separate team to the Auckland FC first team squad, instead it will feature a significant number of existing reserve team players.
“Many of the players and staff I have existing relationships with from the success we’ve had in the National League. For all of us it is a chance to continue the journey, improving our skills and experience in the global game,’ added Casserly.
Casserly joined the Black Knights coaching staff back in February 2025. He is also assistant coach to the first team.
The OFC team will continue to play with the same attacking philosophy seen across the first and reserves teams. Casserly’s experience with both will further knit together the teams, supporting the club and players as they progress through the development pathway.
“Luke has done some great things with the reserves team and can be really proud of what he has accomplished to date – this is a team that had never played together before,” says Auckland FC Director of Football, Terry McFlynn.
“He was an obvious choice to take on then OFC team and will continue support us in our ambition to provide pathways to professionalism for New Zealand’s best young talent.
“Nobody quite knows yet how the Pro League will work out but there are some very talented teams in the Pro League. It will certainly be competitive but like always we play to win.”
Auckland FC will play their opening OFC Pro League game against South Island United on January 17. The match is scheduled to take place at Eden Park.
The team will play three games in Auckland before moving on to play in Papua New Guinea at the end of January.
Prior to joining Auckland FC, Casserly was Head of Australia’s National Team programs and spent six years as Head of Football and then Senior Men’s Head Coach at Hills United FC in New South Wales, Australia. He also made eight appearances for the Australian national team and represented Australia at the Olympic games.
Further details on the players and coaching staff that will make up the OFC Pro League team will be announced in the coming weeks.
