Brisbane Roar’s bold move: 27‑year‑old Ninja A‑League head coach

A two-year deal sees Brisbane Roar appoint Johnathan Clemente as the club’s new Ninja A‑League head coach, making him the youngest manager in A‑League history at just 27 years of age. He takes over a side that finished fourth in the 2025/26 season and reached the semi‑finals.

At 27, Clemente becomes the youngest head coach in A‑League history. The Roar concluded the 2025/26 campaign in fourth place before advancing to the semi‑finals, underscoring the club’s recent competitive progress.

Clemente arrives from Melbourne Victory, where he spent the past four seasons as assistant coach under Jeff Hopkins. During that period he contributed to the senior team’s tactics and player development.

While at Victory, he also led the club’s NPLW, Female Pathways and Melbourne Victory Afghan Women’s Team programs, gaining extensive experience in women’s football development.

Prior to his Victory tenure, Clemente guided Essendon Royals back to promotion in his first season as head coach, delivering immediate success in Victorian football.

He then took charge of Heidelberg United, delivering the club’s highest league finish in 12 years and helping develop ten players who progressed to A‑League squads over a three‑year stint.

“I am incredibly honoured at the opportunity to lead one of the most successful clubs in the country, with one of the best squads in the league,” Clemente said after his appointment. “I see exciting parallels between Brisbane Roar and my own journey.”

Brisbane Roar Sporting Director James Gow praised Clemente’s clear vision, stating, “Johnathan is a coach with a very clear idea of how he wants to play, train and develop his team. Despite his young age he has a lot of experience in the A‑League Women’s space.”

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