Corica inks fresh Sky Blues deal

FALLEN giants Sydney FC have kept faith in coach Steve Corica, with the former Socceroo given a new two-year deal.

Corica will become the Sky Blues’ longest-serving head coach – surpassing current Socceroos boss Graham Arnold – having already been at the helm for four seasons.

It has been a mostly successful stint, with the Sydneysiders having won two ALeague championships and a premiership under Corica.

However, the Sky Blues’ 2021-22 campaign failed to live up to expectations, with the club failing to play finals football for the first time in six years.

Corica’s men also crashed out of the AFC Champions League, failing to win any of their six group matches.

Corica admitted Sydney’s failure to reach the finals this season was “not good enough”.

“Recruitment will be key to our success as we freshen up the squad,” he said. “We’ll need a new striker, a new (playmaker) and I want to strengthen us defensively.”

Twelve members of Sydney’s 2021-22 squad — including Kosta Barbarouses and retired Brazilian Bobo – won’t return next season.