Auckland FC have locked in almost all of their squad for next season.
As this campaign reaches a climax, with six matches to go before the playoffs, the organisation is already planning for future success. Ahead of Sunday’s match against Brisbane (7pm NZT), there is a high degree of certainty about their 2025-26 plans, with the vast majority of the men’s team in place. A number of players started this season with one-year deals but they have since been extended.
“We are in a really good place in terms of stability within the group,” director of football Terry McFlynn told the Herald. “We have only got two or three off-contract.”
McFlynn explained that most of the players on one-year deals had “triggers” in their contracts – club or player options contingent on a certain number of appearances – and have hit their respective benchmarks. Uruguayan forward Guillermo May will be staying on, as will young winger Jesse Randall and veteran defender Tommy Smith. All Whites winger Logan Rogerson is also close to sealing an extension.
“He was on a one-year deal,” said McFlynn. “He hasn’t signed any paperwork yet, but we’ve agreed everything verbally for him to stay at the club.”
The only players not confirmed yet for next season are Colombian import Neyder Moreno, promising midfielder Luis Toomey and striker Max Mata. Moreno was a late arrival and took a while to gain match fitness. He missed the first two games and was a substitute for the next five matches but has been a revelation, with a lot of crucial strikes among his seven-goal haul, along with two assists.
“With Neyder, it’s twofold,” said McFlynn. “There was obviously his family situation, he’d never played outside of Colombia before so it was a big move. But he’s really enjoying it here. He loves it, so we need to have that conversation with him, if he actually wants to stay first and foremost. Then obviously from our point of view, he’s done a fantastic job for us.”
McFlynn expects to start discussions with Moreno and his management in early April. Mata is on loan from Shrewsbury, with a year left on his contract at the League One club. His future depends on whether the two organisations can agree on a transfer fee, or if the 24-year-old has a second loan spell.
“The discussion has to be more around his club and what they’re expecting,” said McFlynn.
One player who won’t be continuing is goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, currently on loan from English Premier League outfit Bournemouth AFC, which will open the door for fellow stopper Michael Woud, who was the first player signed by the club but has yet to feature in a competitive match, due to Paulsen’s presence.
“The way Michael has conducted himself and the way he’s handled himself, with Alex Paulsen coming in on loan has been exemplary across the whole group,” said McFLynn. “He’s been fantastic. His attitude’s been amazing. We told Michael it was going to be a one-year loan deal for Alex. We told Alex it was a one-year loan deal and he was going back after that. So culturally, we can’t go back on that now and we need to give Michael the opportunity, which he deserves. And with Alex, it’s been an absolute pleasure working with him day in and day out and helping him on his journey.”
The squad flew to Brisbane on Friday, signalling a change to travel arrangements. Instead of arriving one day before the match, the team will now have extra time on the ground to help optimise performance.
“We think that will work better,” said McFlynn.
Overall, the international break came at a good time, allowing players to reset mentally. Still, there was a heavy conditioning emphasis for those who weren’t on international duty, while the All Whites contingent were pitched straight into an internal game on Tuesday. Louis Verstraete and Nando Pijnaker are back in contention after serving one-game suspensions, while Dan Hall is much closer to full fitness after his comeback against Central Coast.
Sunday is another vital step, as Auckland could extend their lead to seven points with a win, with second-placed Western United having a bye. It won’t be straightforward though. Brisbane have showed signs of a mini revivial – with two draws and a win in their last three games – while a tropical storm is forecast for the Queensland capital on Sunday. Auckland have to rediscover their defensive steel – after conceding seven goals in their past three games – while also maintaining a clinical edge in front of goal, after three consecutive draws.
“It’s really important to come back and start winning again,” said coach Steve Corica. “We are on a great run – nine games unbeaten – but the last two or three have been a bit disappointing.”
Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning multiple national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns.