Leading from the dugout, football managers take on a significant responsibility for how their teams perform. From the style of play, to tactical flexibility and getting the most out of their players, it’s a challenging role and one that comes with no shortage of scrutiny.
As the inaugural OFC Pro League draws near, eight men have been tasked with leading their club to an historic piece of silverware.
Let’s get to know the head coaches of the eight clubs that will shape Oceania’s new professional era with their tactics, decision-making and leadership.
Auckland FC
Luke Casserly
Tasked with leading Auckland FC in the OFC Pro League, 52-year-old Luke Casserly is an Australian, born and raised in Sydney.
He spent a decade in the old National Soccer League in Australia during his playing career, amassing over 150 appearances for Marconi Stallions, and earning eight caps for the Australian men’s national team between 1997-2001.
After hanging up his boots, Casserly was appointed head of National Performance at Football Australia and joined Auckland FC in 2025 as coach of the club’s reserve team. He now takes the step up to lead the club’s second professional outfit as part of the OFC Pro League.
Bula FC
Stéphane Auvray
A name unfamiliar to most football fans in Oceania prior to his arrival at Bula FC, Stéphane Auvray has a unique playing and coaching career and arrives in Fiji as the joint coach of both Bula FC and the senior men’s national team.
The 44-year-old was born on the French Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe, playing for – and captaining – the national team at two CONCACAF Gold Cup’s in 2007 and 2009, reaching the knockout stage on both occasions.
The former midfielder also spent time in the MLS in the USA, with New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City, as well as Vannes OC and Nimes Olympique in France, before concluding his playing career in Brunei with DPMM FC.
His sole coaching experience prior to arriving at Bula FC, was leading the St Martin national team in the CONCACAF region.
Auvray’s arrival in the Pacific marks another diverse challenge in his intriguing football career, with a passionate Fijian fanbase expecting his side to hit the ground running come kick off.
PNG Hekari FC
Marcos Gusmão
Born in Sao Paulo, 59-year-old Brazilian Marcos Gusmão has an extensive knowledge of Papua New Guinea football and is the man to lead the nation into a new professional era with PNG Hekari FC in the OFC Pro League.
Gusmão made the move to Melanesia in 2004, and led the Papua New Guinea national team on two separate stints, first for seven years between 2004 and 2011, and then between 2021-2022.
Now he continues his connection with the country and returns to club coaching for the first time in 21 years with PNG Hekari FC, having already added his Brazilian touch with three overseas signings for the OFC Pro League.
Solomon Kings FC
Ben Cahn
A former youth prospect at Fulham FC as a player, Englishman Ben Cahn has found his success in coaching and will lead Solomon Kings FC in the inaugural edition of the OFC Pro League.
Cahn made the move down under to Australia at the young age of 21 and rose to become an assistant manager for the Central Coast Mariners between 2015-2017, before leading NPL Queensland club Olympic FC to five grand finals.
Amid a time of turmoil for Brisbane Roar, he managed his first professional club as head coach for five games in the A-League in 2024, before stepping away from the sport to focus on his recovery from thyroid cancer.
Now back in the big time professionally in the Solomon Islands, 37 year-old Cahn’s story of determination and overcoming adversity continues, as the youngest manager in the OFC Pro League looks to make his mark in one of the Pacific’s most passionate football nations.
South Island United
Rob Sherman
Welshman Rob Sherman brings plenty of international coaching experience to his role with South Island United in the OFC Pro League – New Zealand’s first-ever professional club from the country’s South Island.
Born and raised in Wales, the 65-year-old helped nurture Welsh talents Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey during his time at the Welsh FA, before moving overseas as an assistant coach of both the Canadian men’s and women’s national teams.
Sherman’s impressive CV includes roles at Football Australia, New Zealand Football, and Melbourne Victory, as well as coaching Fiji to the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifying during his two-year spell between 2023-2025.
Now, having moved back into club football management, Sherman is tasked with not only leading South Island United, but helping to unearth the next generation of Kiwi talent.
South Melbourne FC
Siniša Cohadzic
Having taken the hot seat at South Melbourne in August 2025, at a time where the club was languishing in mid-table in the NPL Victoria league, Siniša Cohadzic turned the ship around to lead Hellas to the Australia Championship title.
Cohadzic knows the club well, having previously been Technical Director for five years and having led the U-23 side to a title. His experience also extends to the international stage, having worked with the U-17 and U-20 Philippines women’s national teams.
Cohadzic will be looking to build off the back of his recent domestic success in search of more silverware and lead South Melbourne FC to the OFC Pro League title.
Tahiti United
Samuel Garcia
One of the most experienced coaches in the region, Samuel Garcia will lead the island of Tahiti into a new professional era as dual coach of Tahiti United for the OFC Pro League, and the men’s national team.
The 50-year-old has risen through the Tahitian coaching ranks since hanging up his boots, managing both AS Pirae and AS Venus, and has spent six years since 2019 as coach of the senior men’s national team.
He guided Tahiti to the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifying and third place at the OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024, and will be hoping to lead Tahiti United to similar success in the OFC Pro League.
Vanuatu United FC
Lars Hopp
Venturing into the Pacific for the first time, German Lars Hopp has taken a dual coaching role with Vanuatu United FC and the men’s national team.
Previously the 49-year-old spent a decade in Estonia working with the nation’s youth international teams, and prior to his arrival in Vanuatu, worked in Uzbekistan as a FIFA Development Coach.
Hopp has already enjoyed some early success during his tenure in the Pacific, leading Vanuatu to the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in 2025, the nation’s first title since 1990. He will now be focusing on building upon that success in the OFC Pro League with Vanuatu United FC.
Don’t miss the OFC Pro League kick-off this weekend as Round 1 gets underway.
Bring the family along to watch the action and enjoy the family funzone, with tickets from only $15.