A-League continuity: Jagarinec returns as Canberra United head coach

Canberra United have confirmed the reappointment of Antoni Jagarinec as Head Coach of their Ninja A-League Women side, extending his tenure for a further two seasons under the new Australian Sports Group (ASG) ownership. The current Ninja A-League Coach Of The Year will continue to lead the Club as it prepares for the upcoming campaign.

Jagarinec first took on the Head Coach role ahead of the 2024/25 season and has since helped build Canberra United into a competitive force in the Ninja A-League Women, cementing a long‑standing association with the Club.

During his two‑year spell he earned multiple Coach of the Month honours and was named the 2025/26 Coach of the Year after guiding the side to third place last season and securing two consecutive Finals Series appearances.

ASG CEO Theo Fotopoulos said: “Antoni has earned this opportunity through the work he has done with Canberra United over a number of years, and particularly through the results and progress he has delivered as Head Coach over the past two seasons.” He added that Jagarinec “understands this Club, this playing group and the Canberra football community, and importantly, he shares our ambition for where Canberra United can go next.”

Antoni Jagarinec expressed his gratitude, stating: “I’m incredibly grateful to Theo, Morris and the new ownership group for the trust they’ve shown in me and for the opportunity to continue leading Canberra United into this next chapter. There is a real sense of excitement around the Club and I’m looking forward to building on the foundations we’ve established over the past two seasons.”

He outlined the immediate priority as “getting the football program ready for the new season – building the squad, bringing the right people into the environment and making sure we are prepared to hit the ground running,” emphasizing the desire to create a team that players, members and the Canberra community can be proud of.

The ambitions are high: Jagarinec said the Club wants to compete at the top end of the Ninja A-League and challenge for silverware, acknowledging the work required but confident that the new ownership will support those goals.

The appointment marks one of the first major football decisions under ASG’s ownership after the Australian Professional Leagues announced in July that Australian Sports Group had acquired the Club. Jagarinec will lead Canberra United into the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season, with the Transfer CENTRE already highlighting “Your club’s moves” and further announcements about the playing squad and football programme expected in the coming weeks.