Adelaide United’s Airton Andrioli is one of three new coaches in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season. aleagues.com.au looks at the challenges facing the trio in a three-part series.
It is a new era for Adelaide United as they embark on a new season with a new but familiar face in the dugout.
Youth guru Airton Andrioli is the new man at the wheel at Coopers Stadium, where the 60-year-old Brazilian has replaced Reds legend Carl Veart for at least the next two seasons.
Andrioli’s appointment means a new coach on the sidelines in the Isuzu UTE A-League but he is hardly a new face for Adelaide. Promoted from the club’s Head of Youth Football and first-team assistant, he has been with the Reds for the past five years and has played a pivotal role in shaping South Australia’s football pathways.
That emergence of young stars will not change on Andrioli’s watch while Adelaide have re-invested in the squad with the signings of Brazilian veteran Anselmo de Moraes and Spanish maestro Juan Muñiz.
“There was definitely a rebirth during the off-season. We felt it was time to refresh things, but the changes we’ve made have settled in quicker than expected,” said Adelaide CEO Nathan Kosmina.
“Every dollar of transfer revenue we’ve received has been reinvested back into football. Our priority is building stability in the squad and providing a platform for our young players to develop into professional A-League footballers.”
Adelaide have been busy re-shaping their squad heading into a Round 1 showdown against rivals Sydney FC on October 17. So, with the Isuzu UTE A-League looming on the horizon, aleagues.com.au looks at the challenges facing the club’s new boss.
Defence is the glaring issue Adelaide United must fix in 2025-26.
Adelaide have so often dazzled the competition with their attacking football but the defensive side of the game is their “Achilles Heel”, according to former head coach Carl Veart – who used the term at the backend of 2024-25 after the Reds conceded 55 goals in the regular season, having shipped 53 the campaign prior.
That’s 103 goals or 106 if you factor in the 3-2 Elimination Final loss to Western United.
There is a lot of work for Andrioli and it starts with addressing his side’s defensive frailties.
Adelaide tried three different goalkeepers last term – James Delianov, Ethan Cox and Max Vartuli. Delianov has since left for Newcastle Jets, while the Reds have recruited experienced Dutchman Joshua Smits.
Dutch veteran Bart Vriends and young gun Panagiotis Kikianis struck up a good understanding at the heart of defence in 2024-25 but still conceded far too many goals.
All eyes will be on Round 1 against Sydney FC.
Replacing a Golden Boot winner
Aside from defence, Andrioli’s biggest challenge will be filling the Archie Goodwin void.
Goodwin lit up Coopers Stadium and the A-Leagues in his one and only season with the Reds, scoring 13 goals in 26 appearances as the young gun earned a share of the Golden Boot.
The 20-year-old’s exploits not only shined a light on Adelaide’s thrilling attacking football, but it earned him a move to MLS outfit Charlotte FC – netting the Reds a significant transfer fee.
However, it has left a hole in Adelaide’s attack. It has, though, provided a chance for someone else to take that no.9 mantle.
The upcoming 2025-26 campaign shapes as a big one for Luka Jovanovic, who has worked closely with Andrioli at youth level.
Last season, he vied with Goodwin to lead Adelaide’s attack. But with Archie Goodwin gone, the 20-year-old Jovanovic has the chance to lead the line at Coopers Stadium, where he has scored 14 goals across all competitions since debuting in 2022-23.
Assisting the Young Socceroo in this case is the return of Reds legend and Socceroo Craig Goodwin.
Craig Goodwin is back home in South Australia having enjoyed a stint in Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old captain remains Adelaide’s all-time leading goalscorer with 60 goals from 168 appearances across all competitions. He is also the club’s also all-time leading A-Leagues goalscorer (53).
He also brings proven quality and experience in attack as the Reds eye a second Championship.
